Benzofuran compound and medicinal composition containing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a benzofuran compound of the formula (I) 
                         
wherein each symbol is as defined in the description, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the like. The compound of the present invention has superior leukotriene inhibitory action, BLT2 competitive inhibitory action, BLT2 blocking action, action for the prophylaxis or treatment of allergy, action for the prophylaxis or treatment of asthma and action for the prophylaxis or treatment of inflammation, and is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases such as allergic disease, asthma, inflammation and the like, and other diseases.

This application is a U.S. national stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2004/007802 filed May 28, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a benzofuran compound having a leukotriene (particularly leukotriene B4) inhibitory action and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Moreover, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the above-mentioned benzofuran compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a leukotriene inhibitor, a BLT2 competitive inhibitor, an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of allergy, an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of asthma or an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of inflammation, which comprises the above-mentioned benzofuran compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is one kind of arachidonic acid metabolites and one of the most potent activation substances of neutrophil and macrophage (see e.g., Samuelsson et al., “science”, (US), (1987), vol. 237, p. 1171-1176 and Shimizu et al., “Journal of Neurochemistory”, (UK), (1990), vol. 55, p. 1-15). It is known that action of LTB4 on neutrophil or macrophage results in the induction of various responses important for biological defense, such as adhesion to vascular endothelial cells, degranulation of lysosome enzymes, production of active oxygen, chemotaxis into inflammatory tissues and the like. However, overproduction of LTB4 is deeply involved in the formation and aggravation of various diseases accompanied by inflammations or allergic responses, psoriasis (see e.g., Iversen et al., “Skin Pharmacology”, (US), (1997), vol. 10, p. 169-177), bronchial asthma (see e.g., Turner et al., “The Journal of Clinical Investigation”, (US), (1996), vol. 97, p. 381-387), rheumatoid arthritis (see e.g., Griffiths et al., “Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the USA”, (US), (1995), vol. 92, p. 517-521), inflammatory bowel disease (see e.g., Sharon et al., “Gastroenterology”, (US), (1984), vol. 86, p. 453-460), ischemic renal failure (see e.g., Noiri et al., “Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the USA”, (US), (2000), vol. 97, 823-828) and the like. Therefore, the development of a therapeutic agent capable of selectively inhibiting the production or action of LTB4 in various ways has been desired for the prophylaxis or treatment of these diseases. In recent years, it has been clarified that LTB4 receptors include two kinds of receptors (BLT1, BLT2) having different expression distributions and affinities (see e.g., Yokomizo et al., “Nature”, (UK), (1997), vol. 387, p. 620-624 and Yokomizo et al., “The Journal of the Experimental Medicine”, (2000), vol. 192, p. 421-431). Therefore, broadening of the range of selection of LTB4 inhibitor has been desired more than ever.

On the other hand, while benzofuran derivatives having a leukotriene inhibitory action have been disclosed (e.g., JP-A-61-17579, JP-A-5-202040, JP-A-5-317024 etc.), the selectivity to LTB4 has not been disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to increase diversity of and broaden the selection range of leukotriene inhibitors, BLT2 competitive inhibitors, agents for the prophylaxis or treatment of allergy, agents for the prophylaxis or treatment of asthma and agents for the prophylaxis or treatment of inflammation, by providing novel compounds having a potent leukotriene (particularly leukotriene B4) inhibitory action and a BLT2 competitive inhibitory action as well as high safety.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have conducted intensive studies in an attempt to solve the above-mentioned problems and found that a benzofuran compound having a novel structure or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof possesses a potent leukotriene (particularly leukotriene B4) inhibitory action, particularly superior in a BLT2 competitive inhibitory action and a BLT2 blocking action, as well as high safety, which resulted in the completion of the present invention.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to the following.

-   (1) A compound represented by the formula (I)

wherein

-   Z is a group selected from the following formulas Z^(a), Z^(b) and     Z^(d)

wherein

-   -   X³ is a bond or

-   -   -   wherein Y³ is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom;

    -   R³ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group;

    -   R⁴ is a cyano group, —COOAlk (Alk is hereinafter independently a         hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group), —CHO, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group         (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen         atoms),

-   -   -   wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are the same or different and each is a             hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is             optionally substituted by one or more —COOAlk), a C₆₋₁₄ aryl             group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or             more substituents selected from the group consisting of             hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆ alkoxy group and —COOAlk), or R⁵ and R⁶             optionally form, together with the nitrogen atom bonded             thereto, a 5- to 7-membered heterocycle (the heterocycle             optionally further has a hetero atom selected from N and O,             and is optionally substituted by one or more substituents             selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl group,             C₆₋₁₄ aryl group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group, or

-   -   -   wherein X⁴ and X⁵ are the same or different and each is a             bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group (the alkylene group is             optionally substituted by one or more —COOAlk); and R⁷ and             R⁸ are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a             C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is optionally             substituted by one or more substituents selected from the             group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or             a C₁₋₆ alkylthio group (the alkylthio group is optionally             substituted by one or more C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups);

    -   X⁶ is a bond, a C₁₋₆ alkylene group or

-   -   -   wherein R¹⁸ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, —CHO,             —COOAlk or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally             substituted by one or more hydroxyl groups), and X⁹ is a             bond, —CH═N— or —CO—NH—;

    -   X⁷ is a bond, —HN—CO— or —N═CH—;

    -   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group;

    -   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a         C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by         one or more C₁₋₆ alkoxy groups) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl         group, or

-   R⁹ and R¹⁰ optionally form, together with the carbon atoms bonded     thereto, a heteroaromatic ring, whereby Z^(b) becomes

-   -   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a         C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by         one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of         hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl         group;     -   X⁸ is a bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group; and     -   R¹⁷ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, —COOAlk, a cyano group,         a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted by         one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of         halogen atom and cyano group), a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl         group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents         selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆         alkoxy group) or an amino group (the amino group is optionally         mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s) (the alkyl group         is optionally substituted by one or more C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups));

-   X¹ is a bond, —O—,

-   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an amino     group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is     optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the     group consisting of hydroxyl group, halogen atom and C₁₋₆ alkoxy     group) or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group [the alkyl group is optionally     substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group     consisting of halogen atom, —COOAlk, amino group (the amino group is     optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s)), sulfanyl     group, C₆₋₁₄ arylsulfanyl group (the aryl of the arylsulfanyl group     is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms) and C₆₋₁₄     aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more     substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group     and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group)], or R¹ is optionally Z^(a); -   X² is a bond, a C₁₋₆ alkylene group,

-   R¹³ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   R² is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an amino group     (the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by     substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl     group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted     by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of     hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group)), a hydroxyl group,

—COOAlk, —CHO, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, cyano group, hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆ alkoxy group and Z^(a) (when Z is Z^(b)));

-   R¹⁴ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a     halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl     group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more     halogen atoms) or

-   -   wherein R¹² is a hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl         group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more         substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl         group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group         (the aryl group of the aryl-alkyl group is optionally         substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group         consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group)         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-   (2) The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the formula     (I)

-   Z is     —X³—CR³═CH—R⁴   Z^(a)     -   wherein     -   X³ is a bond or

-   -   -   wherein Y³ is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom;

    -   R³ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; and

    -   R⁴ is a cyano group, —COOAlk (the Alk is hereinafter         independently a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group),

-   -   -   wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are the same or different and each is a             hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is             optionally substituted by one or more —COOAlk), a C₆₋₁₄ aryl             group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or             more substituents selected from the group consisting of             hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆ alkoxy group and —COOAlk), or R⁵ and R⁶             optionally form, together with the nitrogen atom bonded             thereto, a 5- to 7-membered heterocycle (the heterocycle             optionally further has a hetero atom selected from N and O,             and is optionally substituted by one or more substituents             selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl group,             C₆₋₁₄ aryl group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group), or

-   -   -   wherein X⁴ and X⁵ are the same or different and each is a             bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group (the alkylene group is             optionally substituted by one or more —COOAlk); and R⁷ and             R⁸ are the same or different and each is a hydrogen-atom, a             C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is optionally             substituted by one or more substituents selected from the             group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or             a C₁₋₆ alkylthio group (the alkylthio group is optionally             substituted by one or more C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups), or

-   Z is

-   -   wherein     -   X⁶ is a bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group;     -   X⁷ is —HN—CO—;     -   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group;     -   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group or         a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group, or R⁹ and     -   R¹⁰ optionally form, together with the carbon atoms bonded         thereto, a heteroaromatic ring, whereby Z^(b) becomes

-   -   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group,

-   X¹ is a bond, —O—,

-   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an amino     group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is     optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the     group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₁₋₆     alkyl group [the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or     more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen     atom, —COOAlk, amino group (the amino group is optionally mono- or     di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s)) and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the     aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents     selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy     group)], or R¹ is optionally Z^(a) when Z is Z^(b); -   X² is a bond, a C₁₋₆ alkylene group,

-   R¹³ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   R² is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an amino     group, a hydroxyl group,

—COOAlk, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, cyano group and Z^(a) (when Z is Z^(b) ));

-   R¹⁴ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a     halogen atom or

-   -   wherein R¹² is a hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl         group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more         substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl         group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group         (the aryl group of the aryl-alkyl group is optionally         substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group         consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group),         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-   (3) The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the formula     (I),

-   Z is Z^(a),

-   X³ is a bond or

-   -   wherein Y³ is a hydrogen atom or halogen atom;

-   R³ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; and

-   R⁴ is a cyano group, —COOAlk (the Alk is hereinafter independently a     hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group), —CHO, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the     aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms),

-   -   wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are the same or different and each is a         hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally         substituted by one or more —COOAlk), a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the         aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents         selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆         alkoxy group and —COOAlk), or R⁵ and R⁶ optionally form,         together with the nitrogen atom bonded thereto, a 5- to         7-membered heterocycle (the heterocycle optionally further has a         hetero atom selected from N and O, and is optionally substituted         by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting         of C₁₋₆ alkyl group, C₆₋₁₄ aryl group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl         group), or

-   -   wherein X⁴ and X⁵ are the same or different and each is a bond         or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group (the alkylene group is optionally         substituted by one or more —COOAlk), and R⁷ and R⁸ are the same         or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group         (the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more         substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl         group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₁₋₆ alkylthio group (the         alkylthio group is optionally substituted by one or more C₆₋₁₄         aryl groups)];

-   X¹ is a bond, —O—,

or

-   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an amino     group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is     optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the     group consisting of hydroxyl group, halogen atom and C₁₋₆ alkoxy     group) or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group [the alkyl group is optionally     substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group     consisting of halogen atom, —COOAlk, amino group (the amino group is     optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s)), sulfanyl     group, C₆₋₁₄ arylsulfanyl group (the aryl of the arylsulfanyl group     is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms) and C₆₋₁₄     aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more     substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group     and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group)], or R¹ is optionally Z^(a); -   X² is a bond,

-   R¹³ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   R² is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an amino group (the amino     group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by substituent(s)     selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl group and C₆₋₁₄     aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more     substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group     and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group)), —COOAlk, —CHO, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₆     alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or     more halogen atoms) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is     optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the     group consisting of halogen atom and cyano group); and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a     halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl     group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more     halogen atoms) or

-   -   wherein R¹² is a hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl         group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more         C₁₋₆ alkoxy groups) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the aryl         group of the aryl-alkyl group is optionally substituted by one         or more substituents selected from the group consisting of         hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group),         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-   (4) The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the formula     (I)

-   Z is Z^(b) or Z^(d),

-   X⁶ is a bond, a C₁₋₆ alkylene group or

-   -   wherein R¹⁸ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, —CHO, —COOAlk         or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted         by one or more hydroxyl groups), and X⁹ is a bond, —CH═N— or         —CO—NH—;

-   X⁷ is a bond, —HN—CO— or —N═CH—;

-   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group;

-   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a     C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or     more C₁₋₆ alkoxy groups) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group, or

-   R⁹ and R¹⁰ optionally form, together with the carbon atoms bonded     thereto, a heteroaromatic ring, whereby Z^(b) becomes

-   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a     C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or     more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl     group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   X⁸ is a bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group; -   R¹⁷ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, —COOAlk, a cyano group, a     C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one     or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen     atom and cyano group), a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is     optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the     group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or an     amino group (the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted     by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s) (the alkyl group is optionally substituted by     one or more C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups)); -   X¹ is a bond or —O—; -   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl     group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more     halogen atoms), a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally     substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group     consisting of halogen atom and —COOAlk) or Z^(a) as defined in the     above-mentioned (1); -   X² is a bond, a C₁₋₆ alkylene group,

-   R² is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an amino group     (the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by     substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl     group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted     by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of     hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group)), a hydroxyl group,

—COOAlk, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms), a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, cyano group, C₁₋₆ alkoxy group and Z^(a) as defined in the above-mentioned (1));

-   R¹⁴ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a     halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl     group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more     halogen atoms) or

-   -   wherein R¹² is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group,         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-   (5) The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the formula     (I),

-   Z is Z^(b) or Z^(d),

-   X⁶ is a bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group;

-   X⁷ is —NH—CO—;

-   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group;

-   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group or a     C₆₋₁₄ aryl group, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ optionally form, together with the     carbon atoms bonded thereto, a heteroaromatic ring, whereby Z^(b)     becomes

-   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   X⁸ is a bond; -   R¹⁷ is a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   X¹ is a bond or —O—; -   R¹ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is     optionally substituted one or more substituents selected from the     group consisting of halogen atom and —COOAlk); -   X² is a bond; -   R² is a hydrogen atom; and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom or

-   -   wherein R¹² is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group,         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-   (6) The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the formula     (I),

-   Z is Z^(b) or Z^(d),

-   X⁶ is

-   -   wherein R¹⁸ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, —CHO, —COOAlk         or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted         by one or more hydroxyl groups), and X⁹ is a bond, —CH═N— or         —CO—NH—;

-   X⁷ is a bond, —HN—CO— or —N═CH—;

-   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group;

-   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a     C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or     more C₁₋₆ alkoxy groups) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group, or

-   R⁹ and R¹⁰ optionally form, together with the carbon atoms bonded     thereto, a heteroaromatic ring, whereby Z_(b) becomes

-   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a     C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or     more substituents selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl     group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   X⁸ is a bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group; -   R¹⁷ is a hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group or an     amino group (the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted     by Cl₆ alkyl group(s)); -   X¹ is a bond or —O—; -   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl     group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms) or a     C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   X² is a bond; -   R² is a hydrogen atom or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is     optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms); and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a     halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl     group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more     halogen atoms) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. -   (7) The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the formula     (I) -   Z is a group selected from the group consisting of the following     formulas Z^(a), Z^(b) and Z^(d);

X³ is a bond or

-   -   wherein Y³ is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom;

-   R³ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group;

-   R⁴ is

-   -   wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are the same or different and each is a         hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally         substituted by one or more —COOAlk), a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the         aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents         selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆         alkoxy group and —COOAlk), or R⁵ and R⁶ optionally form,         together with the nitrogen atom bonded thereto, a 5- to         7-membered heterocycle (the heterocycle optionally further has a         hetero atom selected from N and O, and is optionally substituted         by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting         of C₁₋₆ alkyl group, C₆₋₁₄ aryl group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl         group);

-   X⁶ is a bond, a C₁₋₆ alkylene group or

-   -   wherein R¹⁸ is a hydrogen atom, and X⁹ is a bond;

-   X⁷ is a bond, —HN—CO— or —N═CH—;

-   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group;

-   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a     C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or     more C₁₋₆ alkoxy groups) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group;

-   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group;

-   X⁸ is a bond;

-   R¹⁷ is a hydrogen atom or an amino group (the amino group is     optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(S) (the alkyl     group is optionally substituted by one or more C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups));

-   X¹ is a bond or —O—;

-   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group     [the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more     substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom,     —COOAlk, amino group (the amino group is optionally mono- or     di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s)), sulfanyl group, C₆₋₁₄     arylsulfanyl group (the aryl of the arylsulfanyl group is optionally     substituted by one or more halogen atoms) and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the     aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents     selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy     group)], or R¹ is optionally Z^(a);

-   X² is a bond or

-   R¹³ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   R² is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the     alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms)     or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by     one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of     halogen atom, cyano group, hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆ alkoxy group and     Z^(a) (when Z is Z^(b))); and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom or a     halogen atom,     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. -   (8) The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the formula     (I) -   Z is Z^(a); -   X³ is a bond or

-   -   wherein Y³ is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom;

-   R³ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group;

-   R⁴ is a cyano group, —COOAlk,

-   -   wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are the same or different and each is a         hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally         substituted by one or more —COOAlk), a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the         aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents         selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆         alkoxy group and —COOAlk), or R⁵ and R⁶ optionally form,         together with the nitrogen atom bonded thereto, a 5- to         7-membered heterocycle (the heterocycle optionally further has a         hetero atom selected from N and O, and is optionally substituted         by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting         of C₁₋₆ alkyl group, C₆₋₁₄ aryl group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl         group), or

-   -   wherein X⁴, X⁵ are the same or different and each is a bond or a         C₁₋₆ alkylene group (the alkylene group is optionally         substituted by one or more —COOAlk), and R⁷ and R⁸ are the same         or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group         (the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more         substituents selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl         group and a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₁₋₆ alkylthio group (the         alkylthio group is optionally substituted by one or more C₆₋₁₄         aryl groups);

-   X¹ is a bond, —O—,

-   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an amino group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy     group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted     by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of     hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group [the     alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents     selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, —COOAlk, amino     group (the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆     alkyl group(s)) and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally     substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group     consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group)]; -   X² is a bond,

-   R¹³ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   R² is a hydrogen atom, —COOAlk, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl     group or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally     substituted by one or more cyano groups); and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a     halogen atom or

-   -   wherein R¹² is a hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl         group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more         C₁₋₆ alkoxy groups) or a C₆-1₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the aryl         group of the aryl-alkyl group is optionally substituted by one         or more substituents selected from the group consisting of         hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group),         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-   (9) The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the formula     (I),

-   Z is Z^(b),

-   X⁶ is a bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group;

-   X⁷ is —HN—CO—;

-   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group;

-   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group or a     C₆₋₁₄ aryl group, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ optionally form, together with the     carbon atoms bonded thereto, a heteroaromatic ring, whereby Z^(b)     becomes

-   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   X¹ is a bond or —O—; -   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl     group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more     substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom and     —COOAlk) or Z^(a) as defined in the above-mentioned (1); -   X² is a bond, a C₁₋₆ alkylene group or

-   R² is a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, an amino group, a hydroxyl     group,

—COOAlk, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, cyano group and Z^(a) as defined in the above-mentioned (1));

-   R¹⁴ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a     halogen atom or

-   -   wherein R¹² is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group,         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-   (10). The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the     formula (I),

-   Z is Z^(b),

-   X⁶ is a bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group;

-   X⁷ is —HN—CO—;

-   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group;

-   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, or     R⁹ and R¹⁰ optionally form, together with the carbon atoms bonded     thereto, a heteroaromatic ring, whereby Z^(b) becomes

-   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   X¹ is a bond or —O—; -   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl     group or Z^(a) as defined in the above-mentioned (1); -   X² is a bond, a C₁₋₆ alkylene group or

-   R² is a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, an amino group, a hydroxyl     group,

—COOAlk, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, cyano group and Z^(a) as defined in the above-mentioned (1));

-   R¹⁴ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom or a     halogen atom,     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. -   (11) The compound of the above-mentioned (1), wherein, in the     formula (I), -   Z is Z^(b), -   X⁶ is a bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group; -   X⁷ is —HN— CO—; -   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group; -   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group or a     C₆₋₁₄ aryl group, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ optionally form, together with the     carbon atoms bonded thereto, a heteroaromatic ring, whereby Z^(b)     becomes

-   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   X¹ is a bond or —O—; -   R¹ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is     optionally substituted one or more substituents selected from the     group consisting of halogen atom and —COOAlk); -   X² is a bond; -   R² is a hydrogen atom; and -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom or

-   -   wherein R¹² is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, or a         pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-   (12) A prodrug of a compound of the above-mentioned (1) or a     pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-   (13) A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the     above-mentioned (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or     prodrug thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

-   (14) The pharmaceutical composition of the above-mentioned (13)     which is a leukotriene inhibitor.

-   (15) The pharmaceutical composition of the above-mentioned (13)     which is a BLT2 competitive inhibitor.

-   (16) The pharmaceutical composition of the above-mentioned (13)     which is an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of allergy.

-   (17) The pharmaceutical composition of the above-mentioned (13)     which is an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of asthma.

-   (18) The pharmaceutical composition of the above-mentioned (13)     which is an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of inflammation.

-   (19) A compound represented by the formula (II)

wherein

-   Z^(c) is a halogen atom,

or —X⁶—NH₂;

-   R¹, R², R³, X¹, X², X³, X⁶, Y¹, Y² are as defined in the     above-mentioned (1),     or a salt thereof. -   (20) A method for inhibiting leukotriene, which comprises     administering an effective amount of a compound of the     above-mentioned (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or     a prodrug thereof to a mammal. -   (21) Use of a compound of the above-mentioned (1) or a     pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a prodrug thereof, for     the production of a leukotriene inhibitor. -   (22) Use of a compound of the above-mentioned (1) or a     pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a prodrug thereof, for     the production of an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of     allergy.

The benzofuran compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof have a superior leukotriene inhibitory action, a BLT2 competitive inhibitory action, a BLT2 blocking action, a prophylactic or therapeutic action on allergy, a prophylactic or therapeutic action on asthma, and a prophylactic or therapeutic action on inflammation, and are useful as agents for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases such as allergic diseases, asthma, inflammation and the like, and other diseases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The leukotriene inhibitory action in the present invention includes, for example, an action to inhibit binding of leukotriene to leukotriene receptor (e.g., competitive inhibitory action etc.), an action to inhibit production of leukotriene, an action to inhibit leukotriene metabolism, an action to inhibit reaction caused by the action of leukotriene and the like. The leukotriene inhibitory action preferably includes an action to inhibit binding of leukotriene to leukotriene receptor, an action to inhibit reaction caused by the action of leukotriene and the like, more preferably an action to inhibit binding of leukotriene to leukotriene receptor.

In addition, the inhibitory action may be any of an inhibitory action in a molecule unit, an inhibitory action in a cell unit, an inhibitory action in a tissue unit and an inhibitory action in an individual unit.

Leukotriene in the present invention includes, for example, leukotriene A4 (LTA4), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), leukotriene C4 (LTC4), leukotriene D4 (LTD4), metabolites thereof and the like, and includes any compound capable of binding to a leukotriene receptor (leukotriene receptor ligand). Leukotriene is preferably leukotriene B4.

As the leukotriene B4 receptor, BLT1, BLT2 and the like can be mentioned, which are free of any particular limitation. Leukotriene B4 receptor is preferably BLT2.

That is, the compound of the present invention is superior in the action of inhibiting binding of LTB4 to BLT2 (BLT2 competitive inhibitory action) or inhibiting reactions caused by the action of LTB4 via BLT2 (BLT2 blocking action).

That the above-mentioned BLT2 competitive inhibitory action is BLT2 specific means that the action of inhibiting binding of LTB4 to BLT2 is stronger than the action of inhibiting LTB4 from binding to other LTB4 receptor (e.g., BLT1).

That the BLT2 blocking action is BLT2 specific means that the action of inhibiting reactions caused by the action of LTB4 via BLT2 is stronger than the action of inhibiting reactions caused by the action via other LTB4 receptor (e.g., BLT1).

Each symbol used in the present description is explained in the following.

In the formula (I), substituent Z may substitute at any substitutable position on the benzofuran ring, and the substitutable position is, for example, the 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-position, preferably the 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or 7-position, more preferably the 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-position.

Here, when Z is Z^(a), the substitutable position is preferably the 2-, 4-, 5- or 7-position, more preferably the 2-, 4- or 5-position.

When Z is Z^(b), the substitutable position is preferably the 2-, 3- or 4-position.

When Z is Z^(d), the substitutable position is preferably the 2-, 3- or 4-position.

Substituent —X¹—R¹ may substitute at any substitutable position on the benzofuran ring, and the substitutable position is, for example, the 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-position, preferably the 3-, 5-, 6- or 7-position.

Substituent —X²—R² can substitute at the 2- or 3-position on the benzofuran ring.

Substituent Y¹ or Y² may substitute at any substitutable position on the benzofuran ring, and the substitutable position is, for example, the 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-position, preferably is the 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-positoin.

In a different aspect, substituent Y¹ or Y² can substitute at the 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-position, preferably the 4-, 5- or 6-position.

In the present invention, unless particularly specified, the position of the substituent is not particularly limited as long as it is a substitutable position.

As the halogen atom for Y³, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned. Preferred is a chlorine atom.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R³, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are methyl and ethyl, and more preferred is methyl.

As preferable —COOAlk for R⁴, —COOH, —COOCH₃, —COOC₂H₅ and the like can be mentioned. More preferred are —COOH and —COOC₂H₅, and still more preferred is —COOC₂H₅.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for R⁴, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned. Preferred is phenyl. The aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms. As the halogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned. Preferred is a chlorine atom. The number of substituents is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0-2, more preferably 0-1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R⁴ is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl group.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R⁵ or R⁶, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl.

The aforementioned C₁₋₆ alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more —COOAlk. As preferable —COOAlk, —COOH, —COOCH₃, —COOC₂H₅ and the like can be mentioned, and more preferred is —COOC₂H₅. The number of substituents is preferably 0-1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R⁵ and R⁶ are unsubstituted C₁₋₆ alkyl groups.

As the C₆r₁₄ aryl group for R⁵ or R⁶, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned. Preferred is phenyl. The C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆ alkoxy group and —COOAlk. The C₁₋₆ alkoxy group is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy, with preference given to methoxy. As the aforementioned —COOAlk, —COOH, —COOCH₃, —COOC₂H₅ and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is —COOC₂h₅. The number of substituents is preferably 0-2. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R⁵ and R⁶ are unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups.

The number of N or O that may be further contained in the 5- to 7-membered heterocycle which R⁵ and R⁶ optionally form, together with the nitrogen atom bonded thereto, is, for example, 0-2, preferably 0 or 1. As the heterocycle, for example, pyrrolidine, piperidine, azepane, piperazine, hexahydropyrimidine, hexahydropyridazine, imidazolidine, pyrazolidine, [1,4]diazepan, [1,3]diazepan, [1,2]diazepan, morpholine, [1,3]oxazinan, [1,2]oxazinan, oxazolidine, isoxazolidine, [1,4]oxazepan, [1,3]oxazepan, [1,2]oxazepan and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are piperidine, piperazine and morpholine.

The heterocycle is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl group, C₆₋₁₄ aryl group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group. As the aforementioned C₁₋₆ alkyl group, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned. Preferred is methyl. As the aforementioned C₆₋₁₄ aryl group, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl moiety of the aforementioned C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. As the C₁₋₆ alkyl moiety, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is methyl. The number of substituents on the heterocycle is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R⁵ and R⁶ form, together with the nitrogen atom bonded thereto, an unsubstituted heterocycle. While the position(s) of substituents on the heterocycle is not particularly limited, when the heterocycle further contains N, N is preferably substituted.

The C₁₋₆ alkylene group for X⁴ or X⁵ is a linear or a branched chain alkylene group, and, for example, methylene, ethylene, —CH(CH₃)—, trimethylene, propylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are methylene and ethylene.

The aforementioned C₁₋₆ alkylene group is optionally substituted by one or more —COOAlk. As preferable —COOAlk, —COOH, —COOCH₃, —COOC₂H₅ and the like can be mentioned, and more preferred is —COOC₂H₅. The number of substituents is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that X⁴ and X⁵ are unsubstituted C₁₋₆ alkylene groups.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for R⁷ or R⁸, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group. The aforementioned C₁₋₆ alkoxy group is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy. Preferred are methoxy and methylenedioxy, and more preferred is methoxy. The number of substituents is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0-2. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R⁷ and R⁸ are unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups.

As the C₁₋₆ alkylthio group for R⁷ or R⁸, for example, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, butylthio, isobutylthio, sec-butylthio, tert-butylthio, pentylthio, isopentylthio, neopentylthio, hexylthio and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is methylthio.

The alkylthio group is optionally substituted by one or more C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups. As the aforementioned C₆₋₁₄ aryl group, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The number of substituents is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R⁷ and R⁸ are unsubstituted alkylthio groups.

The C₁₋₆ alkylene group for X⁶ is a linear or branched chain alkylene group, and, for example, methylene, ethylene, —CH(CH₃)—, trimethylene, propylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are methylene, ethylene and —CH(CH₃)—, and more preferred is —CH(CH₃)—.

As —COOAlk for R¹⁸, —COOH, —COOCH₃, —COOC₂H₅ and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are —COOH and —COOC₂H₅.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹⁸, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are methyl and ethyl. The alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more hydroxyl groups. The number of substituents is not particularly limited, and, is for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R¹⁸ is an unsubstituted C₁₋₆ alkyl group.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹⁰, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are methyl and ethyl, and more preferred is methyl.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for R¹⁰, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group. The alkoxy group as a substituent is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy, with preference given to methoxy. The number of substituents is not particularly limited, and, is for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R¹⁰ is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl group.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl moiety of the C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹⁰, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. As the C₁₋₆ alkyl moiety, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methyl and ethyl.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹¹, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are methyl and ethyl, and more preferred is methyl.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for R¹¹, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group. The alkoxy group as a substituent is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy, with preference given to methoxy. The number of substituents is not particularly limited, and, is for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R¹¹ is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl group.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl moiety of the C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹¹, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. As the C₁₋₆ alkyl moiety, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methyl and ethyl.

The C₁₋₆ alkylene group for X⁸ is a linear or branched chain alkylene group, and, for example, methylene, ethylene, —CH(CH₃)—, trimethylene, propylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methylene and ethylene.

As the halogen atom for R¹⁷, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is a chlorine atom.

As preferable —COOAlk for R¹⁷, —COOH, —COOCH₃, —COOC₂H₅ and the like can be mentioned. More preferred are —COOH and —COOC₂H₅, and still more preferred is —COOC₂H₅.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹⁷, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methyl and ethyl. The alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom and cyano group. The number of substituents is not particularly limited, and, is for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R is an unsubstituted C₁₋₆ alkyl group.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for R¹⁷, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group. The alkoxy group as a substituent is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy, with preference given to methoxy. The number of substituents is not particularly limited, and, is for example, 0-3. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R¹⁷ is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl group.

When R¹ ⁷ is an amino group, the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s). As the alkyl group as a substituent, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methyl and ethyl.

The alkyl group as a substituent is optionally substituted by one or more C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups. As the aryl group, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The number of substituents is not particularly limited, and, is for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that the C₁₋₆ alkyl group as a substituent is not substituted.

As the C₁₋₆ alkoxy group for R¹, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy, isopentyloxy, neopentyloxy and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methoxy and ethoxy.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for R¹, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group, halogen atom and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group. The aforementioned C₁₋₆ alkoxy group is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy. Preferred are methoxy and methylenedioxy, and more preferred is methoxy. The number of substituents is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0-2. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R¹ is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl group.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl.

The alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, —COOAlk, amino group, sulfanyl group, C₆₋₁₄ arylsulfanyl group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group. As the halogen atom which may substitute the alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is a chlorine atom.

As preferable —COOAlk that may substitute the alkyl group, —COOH, —COOCH₃, —COOC₂H₅ and the like can be mentioned.

The amino group which may substitute the alkyl group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s). As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group which may substitute the amino group, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methyl and ethyl. That is, as the amino group, —NH₂, —NH(CH₃), —N(CH₃)₂, —N(C₂H₅)₂ and the like are preferable.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl moiety of the C₆₋₁₄ arylsulfanyl group which may substitute the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The aryl is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms. As the halogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is a chlorine atom. The number of the halogen atoms which substitute the aryl is not particularly limited and is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that C₆₋₁₄ aryl moiety of the C₆₋₁₄ arylsulfanyl group which may substitute the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹, is not substituted.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group which may substitute the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹, for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The aforementioned C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group. The aforementioned C₁₋₆ alkoxy group is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy, with preference given to methoxy. The number of substituents for the aryl group is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that the aforementioned C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl group.

The number of substituents for the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹ is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0-2. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R¹ is an unsubstituted alkyl group.

In the formula (I), when Z is Z^(b), then R¹ may be Z^(a) In this case, the substituents Z^(a) and Z^(b) are simultaneously present in the side chain bonded to the benzofuran skeleton in the formula (I). In this case, X¹ is preferably a bond, X³ in Z^(a) for R¹, is preferably a bond, and R³ is preferably a methyl group. R⁴ is preferably

wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are each preferably a hydrogen atom or an ethyl group, or R⁵ and R⁶ form, together with the nitrogen atom bonded thereto, piperazine or morpholine, each optionally substituted by phenyl(s), X⁴ and X⁵ are each preferably a bond, a methylene group or an ethylene group, and R⁷ and R⁸ are each preferably a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group optionally mono- or di-substituted by methoxy group(s).

In a different aspect, R¹ may be Z^(a). In this case, the substituents Z (Z^(a), Z^(b) or Z^(d)) and Z^(a) are simultaneously present in the side chain bonded to the benzofuran skeleton in the formula (I). Here, Z^(a) for the substituent Z and Z^(a) for R¹ in the formula (I) may be the same or different, within the scope of the aforementioned definitions. In this case, X¹ is preferably a bond, X³ in Z^(a) for R¹, is preferably a bond, and R³ is preferably a methyl group. R⁴ is preferably —COOAlk (e.g., —COOH, —COOCH₃, —COOC₂H₅ and the like),

wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are each preferably a hydrogen atom or an ethyl group, or R⁵ and R⁶ form, together with the nitrogen atom bonded thereto, piperazine or morpholine, each optionally substituted by phenyl(s), X⁴ and X⁵ are each preferably a bond, a methylene group or an ethylene group, and R⁷ and R⁸ are each preferably a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group optionally mono- or di-substituted by methoxy group(s).

The C₁₋₆ alkylene group for X² is a linear or branched chain alkylene group, and, for example, methylene, ethylene, —CH(CH₃)—, trimethylene, propylene, butylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene and the like can be mentioned. Preferred are methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylenes and —CH(CH₃)—, and more preferred is —CH(CH₃)—.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹³, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is methyl.

As the halogen atom for R¹³, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is a chlorine atom.

When R² is an amino group, the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group. As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group as a substituent, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methyl and ethyl.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group which is a substituent of the amino group for R², for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group. The aforementioned C₁₋₆ alkoxy group is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy, with preference given to methoxy. The number of the substituents for the aryl group is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that the aforementioned C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl group.

As preferable —COOAlk for R², —COOH, —COOCH₃, —COOC₂H₅ and the like can be mentioned, and more preferred are —COOH and —COOC₂H₅.

As the C₁₋₆ alkoxy group for R², methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy, isopentyloxy, neopentyloxy and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are methoxy and ethoxy.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R², for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, and preferred is methyl. The alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms. As the halogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned, and preferred are a chlorine atom and a bromine atom. The number of substituents of the alkyl group is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R² is an unsubstituted C₁₋₆ alkyl group.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for R², for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to phenyl. The aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, cyano group, hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆ alkoxy group and Z^(a) (when Z is Z^(b)) As the halogen atom as a substituent, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to a chlorine atom and a bromine atom.

As the C₁₋₆ alkoxy group as a substituent, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy, isopentyloxy, neopentyloxy and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to methoxy and ethoxy.

When Z in the formula (I) is Z^(b), Z^(a) optionally substitutes aryl group for R², wherein X² is preferably

and the aryl group is phenyl. X³ in Z^(a) for R² is preferably a bond, and R³ is preferably a methyl group. Preferable R⁴ is

wherein X⁴ and X⁵ are each preferably a bond, a methylene group or an ethylene group, and R⁷ and R⁸ are each preferably a hydrogen atom or a phenyl group optionally mono- or di-substituted by methoxy group(s).

While the number of substituents of C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for R² is not particularly limited, it is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. The number of substituents of 0 means that the aryl group for R² is a unsubstituted aryl group.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹⁴, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to methyl.

As the halogen atom for Y¹ or Y², a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to a bromine atom.

As the C₁₋₆ alkoxy group for Y¹ or Y², methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy, isopentyloxy, neopentyloxy and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to methoxy and ethoxy.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for Y¹ or Y², for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to phenyl. The aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms. As the halogen atom as a substituent, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to a chlorine atom and a bromine atom. While the number of substituents of the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group is not particularly limited, it is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0 or 1. The number of substituents of 0 means that aryl group for R² is an unsubstituted aryl group.

As the C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹², for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to methyl and ethyl.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl group for R¹², for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to phenyl. The aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group. The aforementioned C₁₋₆ alkoxy group is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy, with preference given to methoxy. The number of substituents of the aryl group is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0-2. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that R¹² is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl group.

As the C₆₋₁₄ aryl moiety of the C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group for R¹², for example, phenyl, naphthyl and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to phenyl. The C₆₋₁₄ aryl moiety is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, and the aforementioned C₁₋₆ alkoxy group is a linear or branched chain alkoxy group, which may have one oxygen, such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy, or two oxygens, such as methylenedioxy, with preference given to methoxy. The number of substituents of the C₆₋₁₄ aryl moiety is, for example, 0-3, preferably 0-2. As used herein, the number of substituents of 0 means that the C₆₋₁₄ aryl moiety is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl. As the C₁₋₆ alkyl moiety of the aryl-alkyl group, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to methyl and ethyl.

In the formula (II), as the halogen atom for Z^(c), a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the like can be mentioned, with preference given to a bromine atom.

The benzofuran compound of the present invention preferably contains at least one —NH—CO— or —CO—NH—in Z to enhance its leukotriene inhibitory action, its BLT2 competitive inhibitory action or BLT2 blocking action.

Furthermore, it is preferable to have, in the compound, at least one double bond capable of conjugating with the —NH—CO— or —CO—NH—.

In a still another aspect, to achieve potent leukotriene inhibitory activity, or potent BLT2 competitive inhibitory activity or BLT2 blocking action, or specificity for BLT2, the compound of the present invention may be a compound of the above-mentioned formula (I), wherein Z is a group selected from the group consisting of the following formulas Z^(a), Z^(b) and Z^(d);

-   X³ is a bond or

(Y³ is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom)

-   R³ is a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   R⁴ is

[R⁵ and R⁶ are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more —COOAlk), a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or two or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆ alkoxy group and —COOAlk), or R⁵ and R⁶ optionally form, together with the nitrogen atom bonded thereto, a 5- to 7-membered heterocycle (the heterocycle optionally further has a hetero atom selected from N and O, and is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl group, C₆₋₁₄ aryl group and C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group)];

-   X⁶ is a bond, a C₁₋₆ alkylene group or

[R¹⁸ is a hydrogen atom and X⁹ is a bond];

-   X⁷ is a bond, —HN—CO— or —N═CH—; -   R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group; -   R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a     C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or     more C₁₋₆ alkoxy groups) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   X⁸ is a bond; -   R¹⁷ is a hydrogen atom or an amino group (the amino group is     optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s) (the alkyl     group is optionally substituted by one or more C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups)); -   X¹ is a bond or —O—; -   R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group     [the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more     substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom,     —COOAlk, amino group (the amino group is optionally mono- or     di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s)), sulfanyl group, C₆₋₁₄     arylsulfanyl group (the aryl of the arylsulfanyl group is optionally     substituted by one or more halogen atoms) and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the     aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents     selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy     group)], or R¹ is optionally Z^(a); -   X² is a bond or

-   R¹³ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; -   R² is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the     alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms),     a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one     or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen     atom, cyano group, hydroxyl group, C₁₋₆ alkoxy group and Z^(a) (when     Z is Z^(b))); -   Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom or a     halogen atom.

Specific examples of preferable benzofuran compound (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof include

-   (1)     (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide -   (2)     (E)-3-[7-(3-carboxypropoxy)-4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic     acid -   (3)     (E,E)-3-[4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-7-(3-ethoxycarbonylpropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic     acid -   (4)     (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide -   (5)     (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one -   (6)     (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one -   (7)     (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one -   (8)     (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(l-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide -   (9)     (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one -   (10)     (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-1-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one -   (11)     (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-N-[2-,(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide -   (12)     (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-1-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one -   (13)     (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(2-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yloxoethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide -   (14) Ethyl     (E)-4-[2-acetyl-4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate -   (15) Ethyl     (E)-3-amino-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofurane-2-carboxylate -   (16) Ethyl     (E)-3-[3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-2-butenoylamino]-4-methoxybenzoate -   (17)     (E)-3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide -   (18)     (E)-3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one -   (19)     (E)-3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-1-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one -   (20)     (E)-N-[2-acetyl-5-(1-methyl-3-morpholino-3-oxo-1-propenyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamide -   (21)     (E)-3-{2-acetyl-3-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetylamino]-benzofuran-5-yl}-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide -   (22)     (E)-3-[3-amino-2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)benzofuran-5-yl]-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide -   (23)     (E)-3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one -   (24)     (E)-3-(2-benzoylbenzofuran-5-yl)-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide -   (25) (E)-3-(2-benzoylbenzofuran-5-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one -   (26)     (E)-3-(2-acetylbenzofuran-5-yl)-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide -   (27) (E)-3-(2-acetylbenzofuran-5-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one -   (28) Ethyl     (E)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate -   (29)     (E)-4-{2-[2-(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyric     acid -   (30) Ethyl     (E)-4-[2-(1-methyl-3-morpholino-3-oxo-1-propenyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate -   (31)     (E)-4-[4,6-dibromo-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyric     acid -   (32) Ethyl     (E)-[2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-4-ethylsulfamoylbenzofuran-7-yloxy]acetate -   (33) (E)-3-(7-isopropoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide -   (34) (Z)-3-(7-isopropoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide -   (35) Ethyl     (E)-4-[4-bromo-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-ethylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate -   (36)     (E)-4-[4-bromo-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyric     acid -   (37) (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide -   (38)     (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide -   (39)     (E)-3-[4-bromo-7-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide -   (40) Ethyl     (E)-4-{2-[2-(ethoxycarbonylmethylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate -   (41)     (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide -   (42)     (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one -   (43)     (Z)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide -   (44)     (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one -   (45)     (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide -   (46) Ethyl     (Z)-4-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate -   (47)     (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide -   (48) Ethyl     (Z)-4-[2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-4-ethylsulfamoylbenzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate -   (49) Ethyl     (E)-4-(2-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzofuran-7-yloxy)butyrate -   (50)     3-{7-(3-chloropropoxy)-4-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylsulfamoyl]benzofuran-2-yl}-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide -   (51)     (E)-3-{7-(3-chloropropoxy)-4-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylsulfamoyl]benzofuran-2-yl}-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide -   (52)     (Z)-3-{7-(3-chloropropoxy)-4-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylsulfamoyl]benzofuran-2-yl}-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide -   (53)     (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]penta-2,4-dienoic     acid (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)amide -   (54) (2E,4Z)-5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoic     acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide -   (55) (2E,4Z)-5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoic     acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide -   (56) (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-penta-2,4-dienoic     acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide -   (57) (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)penta-2,4-dienoic     acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide -   (58)     (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]penta-2,4-dienoic     acid diethylamide -   (59)     (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-penta-2,4-dienoic     acid diethylamide -   (60)     (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]penta-2,4-dienoic     acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide -   (61)     (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)penta-2,4-dienenitrile -   (62) Ethyl     (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)penta-2,4-dienoate -   (63) Ethyl     (2E,4Z)-3-benzylsulfanyl-2-{5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]penta-2,4-dienoylamino}propionate -   (64) Ethyl     (2E,4Z)-3-benzylsulfanyl-2-[5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoylamino]propionate -   (65)     N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (66) (Z)-N-(2-acetylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (67) Ethyl     5-bromo-3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofurane-2-carboxylate -   (68) Ethyl     3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofurane-2-carboxylate -   (69) N-(2-acetylbenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (70)     N-[5-bromo-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (71)     N-(2-acetyl-5-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (72)     (E)-N-(2-acetyl-5-(2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (73)     N-[5-bromo-2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (74)     (E)-N-[2-acetyl-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (75)     (E)-N-{2-acetyl-5-[1-methyl-3-oxo-3-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-1-propenyl]benzofuran-3-yl}-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (76) 1-{3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofuran-2-yl}ethyl     acetate -   (77)     N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (78)     N-[2-(4-bromobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (79) N-(2-carbamoylbenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (80)     N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (81)     (E)-N-[2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)-5-(1-methyl-3-morpholino-3-oxo-1-propenyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (82)     N-[2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (83)     N-(2-acetyl-6-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (84)     (E)-N-[2-(4-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (85)     N-(5-bromo-2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (86) N-(2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (87)     N-[2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (88) Ethyl     3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofurane-2-carboxylate -   (89)     (E)-N-[2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (90)     (E)-N-(2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)-5-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (91) Ethyl     (E)-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofurane-2-carboxylate -   (92)     (Z)-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylic     acid -   (93)     (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-5-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (94)     N-{2-acetyl-5-[(E)-2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-3-yl}-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide -   (95)     N-{2-acetyl-5-[1-methyl-3-oxo-3-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-(E)-1-propenyl]benzofuran-3-yl}-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide -   (96)     (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (97) Ethyl     (Z)-5-bromo-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylate -   (98)     (Z)-N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (99)     (Z)-N-[2-(4-bromobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (100)     (Z)-N-[5-bromo-2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (101)     (Z)-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxamide -   (102)     (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (103)     N-(2-acetyl-5-{(E)-2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide -   (104)     (Z)-N-(5-bromo-2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (105) (Z)-N-(2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (106)     N-[2-(4-{(E)-2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide -   (107) Ethyl     (Z)-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylate -   (108)     N-[2-acetyl-5-(1-methyl-3-morpholino-3-oxo-(E)-1-propenyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide -   (109)     N-[2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)-5-((E)-2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide -   (110)     (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (111)     N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-4-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide -   (112)     (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-4-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide -   (113)     (E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-3-phenylacrylamide -   (114) (E)-N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-3-phenylacrylamide -   (115)     (E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-butenamide -   (116) (E)-N-(2-acetyl-6-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenamide -   (117) (E)-N-(5-bromo-2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenamide -   (118) Ethyl (E)-3-methyl-acryloylaminobenzofurane-2-carboxylate -   (119) Ethyl (E)-3-(3-phenylacryloylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylate -   (120) (E)-N-(2-acetyl-6-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-3-phenylacrylamide -   (121) (E)-3-(3-phenylacryloylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylic acid -   (122) (E)-N-(5-bromo-2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-3-phenylacrylamide -   (123) (E)-N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenamide -   (124) Methyl     (2-{1-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]ethyl}benzofuran-7-yloxy)acetate -   (125) Ethyl     4-(4-ethylsulfamoyl-2-{1-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]ethyl}benzofuran-7-yloxy)butyrate -   (126)     (Z)-4-{2-[1-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)ethyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyric     acid -   (127)     (E)-{2-[1-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)ethyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}acetic     acid -   (128) Ethyl     (E)-4-{2-[1-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)ethyl]-4-ethylsulfamoylbenzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate -   (129)     (E)-4-{2-[1-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)ethyl]-4-ethylsulfamoylbenzofuran-7-yloxy}butyric     acid -   (130) (E)-[1-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)ethyl]-2-butenamide p0 (131)     (E)-N-{1-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]ethyl}-3-phenylacrylamide -   (132) (E)-N-[1-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)ethyl]-3-phenylacrylamide -   (133)     (E)-N-{1-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]ethyl}-2-butenamide -   (134) (E)-3-(2-acetylbenzofuran-5-yl)-2-butenoic acid -   (135) (2E,4Z)-5-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoic     acid (4-methoxyphenyl)amide -   (136)     (E,E)-3-[5-(1-methyl-3-morpholin-4-yl-3-oxopropenyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic     acid -   (137) (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-2-butenoic     acid diethylamide -   (138)     (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-1-morpholin-4-ylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one -   (139)     (E)-3-{2-acetyl-7-(3-(4-chlorophenylsulfanyl)propoxy)benzofuran-4-yl}-2-butenoic     acid diethylamide -   (140) Ethyl     4-[2-(1-chloro-3-oxopropenyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]-butyrate -   (141)     (E)-3-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylamide -   (142) (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)penta-2,4-dienoic     acid diisopropylamide -   (143) (E)-3-[7-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic     acid (4-methoxyphenyl)-amide -   (144)     (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-1-piperidin-1-ylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one -   (145) Ethyl     4-[2-(1-chloro-5-morpholin-4-yl-5-oxo-penta-(1Z,3E)-1,3-dienyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate -   (146) Ethyl     3-[2-(1-chloro-3-oxo-(Z)-propenyl)benzofuran-5-yl]-(E)-2-butenoate -   (147)     (2E,4Z)-4-[2-(1-chloro-5-morpholin-4-yl-5-oxo-penta-1,3-dienyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyric     acid -   (148) Ethyl     3-[2-(1-chloro-5-morpholin-4-yl-5-oxo-penta-(1Z,3E)-1,3-dienyl)benzofuran-5-yl]-(E)-2-butenoate -   (149)     (E)-3-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-methyl-1-morpholin-4-ylpropenone -   (151) (Z)-3-(5-bromo-2-methylbenzofuran-3-yl)-3-chloropropenal -   (152) (E)-3-(5-bromo-3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl)-2-butenoic acid     diethylamide -   (153) (Z)-3-(5-bromo-3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl)-2-butenoic acid     diethylamide -   (154)     (2E,4Z)-5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienenitrile -   (155) (E)-3-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenoic acid diethylamide -   (157) (E)-3-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenoic acid     [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide -   (158)     (E)-3-amino-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofurane-2-carboxylic     acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide -   (159) Ethyl     (2E,4Z)-5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoate -   (160) (E)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid     (3-methoxyphenyl)amide -   (161) (Z)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid     (3-methoxyphenyl)amide -   (162)     (E)-1-morpholin-4-yl-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-buten-1-one -   (163)     (Z)-1-morpholin-4-yl-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-buten-1-one -   (164) (E)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid     [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide -   (165) (Z)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid     [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide -   (166) (E)-3-(3-ethylbenzofuran-2-yl)-1-morpholin-4-yl-2-buten-1-one -   (167) 3-(3-ethylbenzofuran-2-yl)-2-butenoic acid     [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide -   (169) 3-(5-bromo-2-methylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenoic acid     diethylamide -   (170) (E)-3-(2-acetyl-5-chloro-benzofuran-7-yl)-2-butenoic acid     diethylamide -   (171)     (E)-1-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)-3-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-buten-1-one -   (172) (E)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid     (4-methoxyphenyl)amide -   (173) (E)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxylic acid     [5-bromo-2-(3-phenylacryloyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide -   (174) 2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenoic acid     [5-bromo-2-((E)-3-phenylacryloyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide -   (175) (E)-5-phenyl-2-penteneoic acid     (2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)amide -   (176)     (E,E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(3-dimethylaminoacryloyl)-benzofuran-3-yl]-3-phenylacrylamide -   (177) (E)-2-butenoic acid     [5-bromo-2-(3-dimethylamino-(E)-acryloyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide -   (178)     (E)-N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylamide -   (179)     (E)-N-[2-(4-bromobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-3-phenylacrylamide -   (180) (E)-N-(5-bromo-2-chlorobenzofuran-3-yl)-3-phenylacrylamide -   (181) (E)-N-(2-chloro-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-3-phenylacrylamide -   (182) (E)-N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-3-phenylacrylamide -   (183) 5-methyl-isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid     [5-bromo-2-(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide -   (184) (E)-2-butenoic acid (5-bromo-2-chlorobenzofuran-3-yl)amide -   (185) (E)-2-butenoic acid (2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)amide -   (186) (E)-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid     [5-((E)-2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-2-(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide -   (187) (E)-2-butenoic acid (2-chloro-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)amide -   (188)     (Z)-5-bromo-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylic     acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide -   (189)     3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenoylamino)-5-((E)-2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-benzofurane-2-carboxylic     acid(3-methoxyphenyl)amide -   (190) N-(1-benzofuran-2-ylethyl)acetamide -   (191) N-[1-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)ethyl]acetamide -   (192) (E)-2-butenoic acid (1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethyl)amide -   (193) N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyanoacetamide -   (194)     (E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(3-dimethylaminoacryloyl)benzofuran-3-yl]acetamide -   (195)     (E)-N-{5-bromo-2-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-acryloyl]benzofuran-3-yl}-3-chloropropionamide -   (196)     (E)-2-benzylamino-N-{5-bromo-2-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acryloyl]benzofuran-3-yl}acetamide -   (197)     N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyanoacetamide -   (198)     N-[2-(4-bromobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyanoacetamide -   (199) Ethyl N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)oxamic acid -   (200) N-(5-bromo-2-chlorobenzofuran-3-yl)-4-methoxybenzamide -   (201)     (E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(3-phenylacryloyl)-benzofuran-3-yl]-3-chloropropionamide -   (202) N-[1-(3-acetylbenzofuran-2-yl)ethyl]acetamide -   (203)     (E)-3-benzylamino-N-{5-bromo-2-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acryloyl]benzofuran-3-yl}propionamide -   (204) N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-3-chloropropionamide -   (205) N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-2-chloroacetamide -   (207) Ethyl N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-benzofuran-3-yl]oxamic     acid -   (208) N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)acetamide -   (209) N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-ethoxybenzamide -   (210) N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzamide -   (211) N-(2-acetyl-4-bromo-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)acetamide -   (212) 4-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-2-phenylthiazole -   (213)     4-[7-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-phenylthiazole -   (214)     4-[7-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-methylthiazole -   (215)     4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-2-phenylthiazole -   (216) 4-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-2-methylthiazole -   (217)     4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-2-methylthiazole -   (218)     4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]thiazol-2-ylamine -   (219)     N′-{4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]thiazol-2-yl}-N,N-dimethylformamidine -   (220) 5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxylic acid     {4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]thiazol-2-yl}amide -   (221)     N′-{4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-5-formylthiazol-2-yl}-N,N-dimethylformamidine -   (222) (Z)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoic acid     {4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]thiazol-2-yl}amide -   (223)     N′-{4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-5-[(2-hydroxyethylimino)methyl]thiazol-2-yl}-N,N-dimethylformamidine -   (224) Ethyl     (E)-4-[2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate -   (225) Ethyl     (Z)-4-[2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate -   (226) 3-chloro-3-(7-methoxy-benzofuran-2-yl)-propenal -   (227) Ethyl     4-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate     and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these.

When substituent Z in the formula (I) is Z^(a), stereoisomers (cis form and trans form or Z form and E form) are present in the double bond moiety, all of which isomers are encompassed in the present invention.

In addition, when stereoisomers (cis form and trans form or Z form and E form) are present in the double bond moiety the compound of the present invention, all of such isomers are encompassed in the present invention, unless otherwise specified.

The benzofuran compound of the present invention represented by the formula (I) (benzofuran compound (I)) may form a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. When benzofuran compound (I) has a basic group, it can form an acid addition salt. The acid to form such acid addition salt is not particularly limited as long as it can form a salt with a basic moiety and is pharmaceutically acceptable. As such acid, inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid and the like, and organic acids such as oxalic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, methanesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid and the like can be mentioned.

When the benzofuran compound (I) has an acidic group such as carboxyl group and the like, it can form, for example, alkali metal salts (e.g., sodium salt, potassium salt and the like), alkaline earth metal salts (e.g., calcium salt, magnesium salt and the like) or organic base salts (e.g., triethylamine salt, dicyclohexylamine salt, pyridine salt, tert-butylamine salt and the like).

The benzofuran compound (I) of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be produced from a compound of the formula (II) (compound (II)) and the like by any of the following production methods or a method analogous thereto.

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, X¹, X², Y¹ and Y² are as defined in the aforementioned (1), and Z^(c) is a halogen atom (a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or an iodine atom etc.).

Production Method 1 is a method to produce a compound of the formula (Ia) (compound (Ia)), which is a compound of the formula (I), wherein Z is Z^(a) and X³ is a bond, by reacting a compound of the formula (IIa) (compound (IIa)), which is a compound of the formula (II), wherein Z^(c) is a halogen atom, with a compound of the formula (III) (compound (III)).

This production method is generally performed by subjecting the compounds to a reaction exemplified by the Heck reaction (Organic Reactions, vol. 27, p. 345 (1982)). The reaction is generally carried out in a solvent in the presence of a palladium catalyst.

The solvent to be used in Production Method 1 is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit the reaction and, for example, triethylamine, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide (DMF) and the like; a mixture thereof and the like can be mentioned.

While the amount of compound (III) to be used in Production Method 1 is not particularly limited, it is generally 1-5 mol, preferably 1-3 mol, per 1 mol of compound (IIa).

As the palladium catalyst in Production Method 1, for example, palladium acetate, palladium carbon, palladium alumina, palladium zeolite, palladium silica, oxidized palladium and the like can be mentioned. The amount of the catalyst to be used is generally 0.001-0.5 mol, preferably 0.001-0.1 mol, per 1 mol of compound (IIa).

In Production Method 1, a phosphine ligand may also be added to maintain catalyst activity. As the phosphine ligand, for example, tri-o-tolylphosphine and the like can be mentioned. The amount of the phosphine ligand to be used is generally 1-5 mol, preferably 1-3 mol, per 1 mol of the palladium catalyst.

While the reaction conditions in Production Method 1, such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the like, vary depending on the reaction reagent, reaction solvent and the like to be used, −30-150° C., 30 min-24 hr are generally employed. Where necessary, a sealed tube may be used to carry out the reaction in a closed system.

The compound (IIa) can be produced by any of the following methods.

wherein R², X², Y¹ and Y² are as defined in the aforementioned (1), R¹ is a C₁₋₆ alkyl group [the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, —COOAlk, amino group (the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group) and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group)], and Y⁴ and Z^(c) are each a halogen atom (a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom etc.).

Production Method a-1 is a method to produce a compound of the formula (IIa-1) (compound (IIa-1)), which is a compound of the formula (IIa), wherein X¹ is an oxygen atom, by reacting a compound of the formula (IVa-1) (compound (IVa-1)) with a compound of the formula (V-1) (compound (V-1)). The reaction of Production Method a-1 is generally performed in a solvent in the presence of a base.

The solvent to be used in Production Method a-1 is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit the reaction and, for example, acetone, dioxane, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, methylene chloride,.ethylene chloride, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like; a mixture thereof and the like can be mentioned.

The base to be used in Production Method a-1 is not particularly limited, inorganic bases such as alkali metal carbonate salts (e.g., sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate and the like), alkali metal hydroxide salts (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the like), metal hydride compounds (e.g., sodium hydride, potassium hydride, calcium hydride and the like) and the like; organic bases such as alkali metal alkoxides (e.g., sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium-t-butoxide and the like), amines (e.g., triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine and the like) and the like can be mentioned.

While the amount of compound (V-1) to be used in Production Method a-1 is not particularly limited, it is generally 1-5 mol, preferably 1-3 mol, per 1 mol of compound (IVa-1).

While the reaction conditions in Production Method a-1 such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the like vary depending on the reaction reagent, reaction solvent and the like to be used, −30-150° C., 30 min-24 hr are generally employed.

wherein R², X², Y¹ and Y² are as defined in the aforementioned (1), R¹ is a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group [the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, —COOAlk, amino group (the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group) and C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group)], and Y⁵ and Z^(c) are each a halogen atom (a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom etc.).

Production Method a-2 is a method to produce a compound of the formula (IIa-2) (compound (IIa-2)), which is a compound of the formula (IIa), wherein X¹ is

by reacting a compound of the formula (IVa-2) (compound (IVa-2)) with a compound of the formula (V-2) (compound (V-2).

In Production Method a-2, compound (V-2), which is an acid halide, is first produced from compound (V-2′) by a conventional method. The reagent to be used for the preparation of the acid halide is not particularly limited and, for example, thionyl chloride, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus trichloride and the like can be mentioned. While the amount of the reagent to be used is not particularly limited, it is generally 1-30 mol, preferably 1-15 mol, per 1 mol of compound (V-2). While the reaction conditions for acid halide preparation such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the like vary depending on the reaction reagent to be used, −30-150° C., 30 min-12 hr are generally employed. Excess reagent is removed by evaporation and the like.

Then, compound (V-2) and compound (IVa-2) are reacted. The reaction is generally carried out in a solvent. The solvent to be used for the reaction is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit the reaction and, for example, acetone, dioxane, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like; a mixture thereof and the like can be mentioned.

While the amount of compound (V-2) to be used in the reaction is not particularly limited, it is generally 1-5 mol, preferably 1-3 mol, per 1 mol of compound (IVa-2).

While the reaction conditions in this reaction such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the like vary depending on the reaction reagent, reaction solvent and the like to be used, −30-150° C, 30 min-24 hr are generally employed.

The compound (IVa-1) can be produced by the method shown in Production Method b.

wherein R², X², Y¹ and Y² are as defined in the aforementioned (1), and Z^(c) is a halogen atom (a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom etc.).

In Production Method b, compound (IVa-1) can be produced by halogenizing the benzofuran ring of compound (VIa-1) at a substitutable position by a method known per se.

The compound (IVa-2) can also be produced according to Production Method b.

wherein R¹, R² R³, R⁴, X¹, X², X³, Y and Y² are as defined in the aforementioned (1), and R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are the same or different and each is a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group and the like.

Production Method 2 is a method to produce a compound of the formula (Ia-2) (compound (Ia-2)), which is a compound of the formula (I), wherein Z is Z^(a), by reacting a compound of the formula (IIa-3) (compound (IIa-3)), which is a compound of the formula (II), wherein Z^(c) is

with a compound of the formula (VII) (compound (VII)).

This production method can be generally performed by subjecting to a reaction exemplified by the Wittig-Horner-Emmons reaction (Chemistry Review, vol. 74, p. 87 (1974)). The reaction is generally carried out in a solvent.

The solvent to be used in Production Method 2 is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit the reaction and, for example, dioxane, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like; a mixture thereof and the like can be mentioned.

While the amount of compound (VII) to be used in Production Method 2 is not particularly limited, it is generally 1-5 mol, preferably 1-3 mol, per 1 mol of compound (IIa-3).

While the reaction conditions in Production Method 2 such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the like vary depending on the reaction reagent, reaction solvent and the like to be used, −30-150° C., 30 min-24 hr are generally employed.

The compound (IIa-3) can be produced according to (Production Method a-1) or (Production Method a-2) in (Production Method 1).

wherein R¹, R² , R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, X¹, X², X⁶, Y¹ and Y² are as defined in the aforementioned (1), and Y⁶ is a halogen atom (a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom etc.).

Production Method 3 is a method to produce a compound of the formula (Ib-1) (compound (Ib-1)), which is a compound of the formula (I), wherein Z is Z^(b), by reacting a compound of the formula (IIb) (compound (IIb)), which is a compound of the formula (II), wherein Z^(c) is —X⁶—NH₂, with a compound of the formula (VIII) (compound (VIII)).

In Production Method 3, compound (VIII), which is an acid halide, is first produced from compound (VIII′) by a conventional method. The reagent to be used for the preparation of the acid halide is not particularly limited and, for example, thionyl chloride, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus trichloride and the like can be mentioned. While the amount of the reagent to be used is not particularly limited, it is generally 1-30 mol, preferably 1-15 mol, per 1 mol of compound (VIII′). While the reaction conditions for acid halide preparation such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the like vary depending on the reaction reagent to be used, −30-150° C., 30 min-12 hr are generally employed. Excess reagent is removed by evaporation and the like.

Then, compound (VIII) and compound (IIb) are reacted. The reaction is generally carried out in a solvent. The solvent to be used for the reaction is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit the reaction and, for example, acetone, dioxane, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like; a mixture thereof and the like can be mentioned.

While the amount of compound (VIII) to be used in the reaction is not particularly limited, it is generally 1-5 mol, preferably 1-3 mol, per 1 mol of compound (IIb).

While the reaction conditions of this reaction such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the like vary depending on the reaction reagent, reaction solvent and the like to be used, −30-150° C., 30 min-24 hr are generally employed.

The compound (IIb) can be produced according to (Production Method a-1) or (Production Method a-2) in (Production Method 1).

wherein R¹, R², R¹⁰, X¹, X², X⁶, Y¹ and Y² are as defined in the aforementioned (1), and Y⁵ is as defined in Production Method 3.

Production Method 4 is a method to produce a compound of the formula (Ib-3) (compound (Ib-3)) by first reacting compound (IIb) with a compound of the formula (VIII-2) (compound (VIII-2)) by a method according to Production Method 3 to give a compound of the formula (Ib-2) (compound (Ib-2)), and hydrolyzing compound (Ib-2).

In the hydrolysis in Production Method 4, compound (Ib-2) is reacted in a solvent in the presence of a base.

The solvent to be used for the hydrolysis in lo Production Method 4 is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit the reaction and, for example, acetone, dioxane, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like; a mixture thereof and the like can be mentioned.

As the base to be used for the hydrolysis in Production Method 4, organic bases such as amines (e.g., triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine and the like) and the like can be mentioned.

While the amount of the base to be used for the hydrolysis in Production Method 4 is not particularly limited, it is generally 1-30 mol, preferably 1-15 mol, per 1 mol of compound (Ib-2).

While the reaction conditions of hydrolysis in Production Method 4 such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the like vary depending on the reaction reagent, reaction solvent and the like to be used, −30-150° C., 30 min-24 hr are generally employed.

The benzofuran compound (I) obtained in the above-mentioned Production Method 1-4 can be isolated by a conventional method and purified as necessary by, for example, recrystallization, preparative thin layer chromatography, column chromatography and the like.

The benzofuran compound (I) can be converted to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof by a method known per se.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising the benzofuran compound of the present invention (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can contain additive and the like. As the additive, for example, excipients (e.g., starch, gum arabic, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, crystalline cellulose and the like), lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc and the like), disintegrants (e.g., carboxymethylcellulose calcium, talc and the like) and the like can be mentioned.

After mixing with the above-mentioned various components, the mixture can be processed to give, for example, a preparation for oral administration such as capsule, tablet, fine granules, granules, dry syrup and the like or a preparation for parenteral administration such as injection, suppository and the like by a method known per se.

While the dose of the benzofuran compound (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof varies depending on the subject of administration, condition and other factors, a dose of about 0.01-500 mg is administered 1-3 times a day for oral administration to an adult patients with, for example, allergy, asthma or inflammation.

The benzofuran compound of the present invention (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof show superior leukotriene inhibitory action, BLT2 competitive inhibitory action, BLT2 blocking action, action for the prophylaxis or treatment of allergy, action for the prophylaxis or treatment of asthma, and action for the prophylaxis or treatment of inflammation for mammals (human, horse, bovine, dog, cat, rat, mouse, hamster and the like), and are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment-of allergic diseases (e.g., allergic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and the like), atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inflammation, inflammatory eye disease, inflammatory pulmonary diseases (e.g., chronic pneumonia, silicosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis, pulmonary tuberculosis and the like), arthritis (e.g., chronic rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, gout arthritis, synovitis and the like), inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and the like), psoriasis, rheumatism, meningitis, hepatitis, ischemic renal failure, nephritis, Addison's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoporosis, toxemia, cachexia, central nervous disorders (e.g., cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction etc., head trauma, spinal trauma, brain edema and the like), arteriosclerosis, tumor and the like, prophylaxis or treatment of leukotriene-related diseases, prophylaxis or treatment of BLT2-related diseases and the like.

Particularly, since involvement of BLT2 in the onset and progress of arthritis (e.g., chronic rheumatoid arthritis and the like) is strongly suggested, the benzofuran compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of arthritis (e.g., chronic rheumatoid arthritis and the like) and the like.

The present invention is explained in detail by referring to Examples and Experimental Examples, which are not to be construed as limitative.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthesis of (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide

(1) 1-(4-Bromo-7-hydroxybenzofuran-2-yl)ethanone (compound 2)(3 g, 0.012 mol), 1-bromoethylbenzene (2.0 ml, 0.144 mol) and K₂CO₃ (5.5 g, 0.036 mol) were dissolved or suspended in dry acetone, and the mixture was stirred with heating at 58° C. for 12 hr. After confirmation of disappearance of the starting materials by TLC, the mixture was air-cooled and filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The obtained crystals were recrystallized from ethanol to give 1-[4-bromo-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]ethanone (compound 3) (3.3 g, yield 56.51%) as pale-yellow crystals.

Rf=0.45 (hexane:AcOEt=7:3) melting point: 128.8-131.8° C. ¹H-NMR(CDCl₃, 60 MHz) (1.80(3H, d, J=7.0 Hz, OCHCH ₃), 2.68(3H, s, COCH ₃), 5.00-6.00(1H, m, OCH(CH₃)), 7.21-7.69(8H, m, 3-H, 5-H, 6-H, Ar—H) EIMS(70 eV) m/s (rel. int. %) 358(M⁺, 6.25) 239(14.89) 105(100.00) 77(27.76) HREIMS m/z 358.0205 (calcd for C₁₈H₁₅O₃Br, 358.0206)

(2) 1-[4-Bromo-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]ethanone (compound 3) (1.0 g, 2.79 mmol) and (E)-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide (0.47 g, 3.35 mmol) were dissolved in triethylamine (10 ml), and the inside of the system was replaced by nitrogen gas. Palladium acetate (0.031 g, 0.14 mmol) and tri-o-tolylphosphine (0.085 g, 0.28 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred with heating at 78-90° C. for 16 hr. After confirmation of the completion of the reaction by TLC, 5% HCl aqueous solution was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The mixture was washed with saturated brine, dried over MgSO₄, and the solvent was evaporated to give a brown oil. Purification by silica gel column chromatography (hexane:acetone=5:1) was performed to give (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide (0.51 g, yield 43.6%) as a pale-yellow crystal.

m.p. 70.8-73.0° C. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) (1.16(3H, t, J=6.9Hz, —NCH₂CH ₃), 1.20(3H, t, J=6.9Hz, —NCH₂CH ₃), 1.76(3H, d, J=6.4 Hz, —O—CH(CH ₃)), 2.34(3H, d, J=1.0 Hz, —C═CH ₃), 2.64(3H, s, —COCH ₃), 3.37(2H, q, J=6.9 Hz, —CH ₂CH₃), 3.47(2H, q, J=6.8 Hz, —CH ₂CH₃), 5.57(1H, s, OCH(CH₃ )), 6.20(1H, d, J=0.9 Hz, —C═C—H), 6.80(1H, d, J=8.2 Hz, benzofuran 5-H), 7.40(1H, d, J=8.2 Hz, benzofuran 6-H), 7.25-7.45(5H, m, Ar—H), 7.62(1H, s, benzofuran 3-H) EIMS(70 eV) m/s(rel. int. %) 419(M⁺, 14.72) 315(100.00) 243(49.32) 105(92.11)

The compounds of Examples 2-27 were synthesized according to Example 1.

Example 2 (E)-3-[7-(3-carboxypropoxy)-4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid

melting point: 199.5-201.9° C.

Example 3 (E,E)-3-[4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-7-(3-ethoxycarbonylpropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid

oil

Example 4 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide

melting point: 163.3-165.2° C.

Example 5 (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 79.0-84.6° C.

Example 6 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 152-160° C.

Example 7 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 167.0-169.3° C.

Example 8 (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide

melting point: 155.2-156.9° C.

Example 9 (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 173.9-175.4° C.

Example 10 (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-1-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 196.0-202.1° C.

Example 11 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide

melting point: 208.3-209.0° C.

Example 12 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-4-yl)-1-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 132.1-136.5° C.

Example 13 (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(2-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yloxoethoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide

melting point: 142.0-144.0° C.

Example 14 Ethyl (E)-4-[2-acetyl-4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate

oil

Example 15 Ethyl (E)-3-amino-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofurane-2-carboxylate

melting point: 159.5-162.0° C.

Example 16 Ethyl (E)-3-[3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-2-butenoylamino]-4-methoxybenzoate

melting point: 189.0-193.0° C.

Example 17 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide

melting point: 168.0-173.0° C.

Example 18 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-1(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 158.6-160.7° C.

Example 19 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-1-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 144.0-148.3° C.

Example 20 (E)-N-[2-acetyl-5-(l-methyl-3-morpholino-3-oxo-1-propenyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamide

melting point: 132.7-134.2° C.

Example 21 (E)-3-{2-acetyl-3-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetylamino]-benzofuran-5-yl}-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide

melting point: 121.8-122.3° C.

Example 22 (E)-3-[3-amino-2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)benzofuran-5-yl]-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide

melting point: 216.4-218.4° C.

Example 23 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-3-aminobenzofuran-5-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 256.4-262.1° C.

Example 24 (E)-3-(2-benzoylbenzofuran-5-yl)-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide

melting point: 126.9-129.4° C.

Example 25 (E)-3-(2-benzoylbenzofuran-5-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 115.5-117.0° C.

Example 26 (E)-3-(2-acetylbenzofuran-5-yl)-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide

melting point: 112.7-114.3° C.

Example 27 (E)-3-(2-acetylbenzofuran-5-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 138.9-141.8° C.

Example 28 Synthesis of ethyl (E)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate

(1). 1-(7-hydroxybenzofuran-2-yl)ethanone (compound 1) (1.0 g, 5.68 mmol), ethyl 4-bromo-n-butyrate (1.33 g, 6.82 mmol) and K₂CO₃ (2.35 g, 17.04 mmol) were dissolved or suspended in dry acetone, and the mixture was stirred with heating at 56° C. for 8 hr. After confirmation of disappearance of the starting materials by TLC, the mixture was air-cooled and filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with saturated brine, dried over MgSO₄, and purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=20:1) to give ethyl 4-(2-acetylbenzofuran-7-yloxy)butyrate (compound 5) (1.19 g, yield 72.2%) as colorless crystals.

melting point: 47.1-48.4° C. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, 60 MHz) (1.30(3H, t, J=7.0 Hz, —COOCH₂CH ₃), 2.10-2.40(4H, m, —OCH₂CH ₂CH ₂COOC₂H₅), 2.70(3H, s, —COCH ₃), 4.25(2H, q, J=7.0 Hz, —OCH ₂CH₃), 4.35(2H, q, J=6.0 Hz, —OCH ₂CH₂CH₂), 6.95-7.30(3H, m, 4-H, 5-H, 6-H), 7.60(1H, s, 3-H) EIMS(70 eV) m/s(rel. int. %) 290(M⁺, 3.433) 245(38.10) 176(19.96) 161(38.31) 115(100) HREIMS m/z 290.1153(calcd for C₁₀H₁₈O₅, 290.1154)

(2) NaH (0.17 g, 60% NaH, 4.25 mmol) was suspended in water-free THF (10 ml) and the inside of the reaction container was replaced with nitrogen gas. Then, diethyl [(4-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)methyl]phosphate (1.28 g, 4.25 mmol) was added. Ethyl 4-(2-acetylbenzofuran-7-yloxy)butyrate (1.0 g, 3.4 mmol) was dissolved in water-free THF (10 ml) and added dropwise.

After the reaction, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure, saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution was added, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (CHCl₃:AcOEt=5:1) and the obtained crystals were recrystallized from methanol to give ethyl (E)-4-{2-[2-(4-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate (0.59 g, yield 39.6%) as yellow needle crystals.

melting point: 141.3-141.5° C. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, 60 MHz) (1.24(3H, t, J=7.0 Hz, —OCH₂CH ₃), 2.25(2H, p, J=7.0 Hz, —CH₃CH ₃CH ₃), 2.62(3H, d, J=1.1 Hz, —C(CH ₃)), 2.66(2H, t, J=7.0 Hz, —CH ₃CO), 3.80(3H, s, —OCH ₃), 4.17(2H, q, J=7.0 Hz, OCH ₂CH₃), 4.31(2H, t, J=7.0 Hz, —OCH ₂CH₃), 6.78(1H, q, J=1.1 Hz, —C(CH₃)═CH), 6.88(1H, d, J=8.8 Hz, 3′-H, 5′-H), 6.92(1H, s, 3-H), 6.95(1H, dd, J=7.7 Hz, 0.7 Hz, 6-H), 7.11(1H, d, J=7.7 Hz, 5-H), 7.19 (1H, dd, J=7.7 Hz, 0.7 Hz, 4-H), 7.56(1H, d, J=8.8 Hz, 2′-H, 6′-H), 7.90(1H, brs, NH, Exchange with D₂O) EIMS(70 eV) m/s (rel. int. %): 437(M⁺, 58.89), 315(M⁺, —NHC₆H₄OCH₃, 100.00), 123(—NHC₆H₄OCH₃, 50.99) HREIMS m/z 437.1844(Calcd for C₂₅H₂₇NO₆, 437.1839)

Example 29 Synthesis of (E)-4-{2-[2-(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyric acid

NaH (0.12 g, 60% NaH, 2.93 mmol) was suspended in water-free THF (10 ml), the inside of the reaction container was replaced with nitrogen gas and diethyl [(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)methyl]phosphate (0.88 g, 2.93 mmol) was added. Ethyl 4-(2-acetylbenzofuran-7-yloxy)butyrate (0.8 g, 2.34 mmol) was dissolved in water-free THF (10 ml) and added dropwise.

After the reaction, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure, saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution was added, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine and dried over water-free MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=10:1(v/v)) and the obtained crystals were recrystallized from methanol to give ethyl (E)-4-{2-[2-(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate as crystals.

The obtained crystals of ethyl (E)-4-{2-[2-(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate were hydrolyzed by a conventional method to give (E)-4-{2-[2-(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyric acid as white crystals.

melting point: 155.5-157.5° C. ¹H-NMR (Acetone, 400 MHz) (2.19(2H, m, —OCH₂CH ₂CH₂-), 2.61(2H, t, —OCH₂CH₂CH ₂, J=7.3 Hz), 2.62(3H, d, CH ₃—C═CH—, J=1.1 Hz), 3.80(3H, s, —OCH ₃), 4.35(2H, t, —OCH ₂CH₂CH₂—, J=6.6 Hz), 6.65(1H, ddd, m-anisidine4-H, J=1.0, 2.1, 8.5 Hz), 6.87(1H, d, CH₃—C═CH—, J=1.4 Hz), 7.01(1H, dd, Bf6-H, J=1.1, 7.7 Hz), 7.15(1H, d, Bf5-H, J=7.7 Hz), 7.19(1H, s, Bf3-H), 7.22(1H, d, m-anisidine5-H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.23(1H, dd, Bf4-H, J=1.1, 7.7 Hz), 7.31(1H, m, m-anisidine6-H), 7.57(1H, t, m-anisidine2-H, J=1.8 Hz), 9.43(1H,s,NH) EIMS(70 eV) m/s (ref. int. %) 409(M⁺, 26.39), 391(8.72), 323(5.05), 287(100), 201(35.19) HREIMS m/z 409.15133(calcd for C₂₃H₂₃O₆N, 419.15053)

Example 30 Synthesis of ethyl (E)-4-[2-(1-methyl-3-morpholino-3-oxo-1-propenyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate

NaH (0.16 g, 60% NaH, 4.13 mmol) was suspended in THF (10 ml), and the inside of the reaction container was replaced with nitrogen gas. After ice-cooling to 0° C., diethyl (2-morpholino-2-oxoethyl)phosphate (1.09 g, 4.13 mmol) was dissolved in THF (15 ml) and the mixture was added dropwise to the mixture. After stirring to transparency while allowing the mixture to warm to room temperature, ethyl 4-(2-acetylbenzofuran-7-yloxy)butyrate (0.4 g, 1.69 mmol) was dissolved in THF (10 ml) and added dropwise to the mixture. The mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 1 hr. After confirmation of disappearance of the starting materials by TLC, THF was evaporated under reduced pressure. Then, water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated to give a yellow oil. This was purified by silica gel chromatography (CHCl₃:ethyl acetate=10:1 (v/v)) to give ethyl (E)-4-[2-(1-methyl-3-morpholino-3-oxopropenyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate (0.34 g, yield 24.6%) as white crystals.

Rf=0.53(CHCl₃:AcOEt=5:2) melting point: 90.0-94.8° C. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) (1.25(3H, t, —CH₂CH ₃, J=7.3 Hz), 2.20(2H, m, —CH₂CH ₂CH₂—), 2.30(3H, d, —CH═C—CH ₃, J=1.1 Hz), 2.58(2H, t, —CH ₂COO—, J=7.3 Hz), 3.60-3.75(8H, bs, —NCH₂CH ₂O— x 2), 4.15(2H, q, —COOCH ₂, J=7.3 Hz), 4.25(2H, t, —OCH₂—, J=6.2 Hz), 6.83(1H, s, benzofuran 3-H), 6.84(1H, d, —C═CH—, J=1.4 Hz), 6.85-7.17(3H, m, 4-H, 5-H, 6-H) EIMS(70 eV) m/z(ref. int. %) 401(M⁺, 52.79), 315(30.08), 115(100) HREIMS m/z 401.1838(calcd for C₂₂H₂₇NO6, 401.1839)

The compounds of Examples 31-64 were synthesized according to Examples 28-30.

Example 31 (E)-4-[4,6-dibromo-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyric acid

melting point: 121.0-123.0° C.

Example 32 Ethyl (E)-[2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-4-ethylsulfamoylbenzofuran-7-yloxy]acetate

melting point: 114.9-116.9° C.

Example 33 (E)-3-(7-isopropoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide

oil

Example 34 (Z)-3-(7-isopropoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide

oil

Example 35 Ethyl (E)-4-[4-bromo-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate

melting point: 53.7-59.8° C.

Example 36 (E)-4-[4-bromo-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyric acid

melting point: 125.5-127.0° C.

Example 37 (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide

oil

Example 38 (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 167.2-168.2° C.

Example 39 (E)-3-[4-bromo-7-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 176.4-181.5° C.

Example 40 Ethyl (E)-4-{2-[2-(ethoxycarbonylmethylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate

melting point: 96.2-98.5° C.

Example 41 (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 191.8-193.6° C.

Example 42 (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one

oil

Example 43 (Z)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 93.9-94.5° C.

Example 44 (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-1-morpholino-2-buten-1-one

melting point: 147.4-150.2° C.

Example 45 (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 93.9-94.5° C.

Example 46 Ethyl (Z)-4-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate

melting point: 101.5-105.0° C.

Example 47 (E)-3-(7-benzhydryloxybenzofuran-2-yl)-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-butenamide

melting point: 70.8-73.5° C.

Example 48 Ethyl (Z)-4-[2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-4-ethylsulfamoylbenzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate

oil

Example 49 Ethyl (E)-4-(2-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzofuran-7-yloxy)butyrate

melting point: 114.0-115.5° C.

Example 50 3-{7-(3-chloropropoxy)-4-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylsulfamoyl]benzofuran-2-yl}-N,N-diethyl-2-butenamide

oil

Example 51 (E)-3-{7-(3-chloropropoxy)-4-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylsulfamoyl]benzofuran-2-yl}-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 162.2-164.5° C.

Example 52 (Z)-3-{7-(3-chloropropoxy)-4-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylsulfamoyl]benzofuran-2-yl}-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 146.1-150.0° C.

Example 53 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]penta-2,4-dienoic acid (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)amide

melting point: 167.5-169.0° C.

Example 54 (2E,4Z)-5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoic acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide

melting point: 204.3-207.1° C.

Example 55 (2E,4Z)-5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoic acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide

melting point: 161.3-162.1° C.

Example 56 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-penta-2,4-dienoic acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide

melting point: 151.4-153.3° C.

Example 57 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)penta-2,4-dienoic acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide

melting point: 194.3-197.3° C.

Example 58 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]penta-2,4-dienoic acid diethylamide

oil

Example 59 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-penta-2,4-dienoic acid diethylamide

melting point: 74.0-76.9° C.

Example 60 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]penta-2,4-dienoic acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide

melting point: 149.0-150.0° C.

Example 61 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)penta-2,4-dienenitrile

melting point: 98.9-101.2° C.

Example 62 Ethyl (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)penta-2,4-dienoate

melting point: 113.9-117.6° C.

Example 63 Ethyl (2E,4Z)-3-benzylsulfanyl-2-{5-chloro-5-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]penta-2,4-dienoylamino}propionate

melting point: 116.5-118.3° C.

Example 64 Ethyl (2E,4Z)-3-benzylsulfanyl-2-[5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoylamino]propionate

melting point: 133.7-135.4° C.

Example 65 Synthetic method of N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

Thionyl chloride (4.3 ml, 39.5 mmol) was added dropwise to 5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxylic acid (0.44 g, 3.4 mmol) at 26° C. The mixture was heated at 89° C. for 1 hr and allowed to cool. Excess thionyl chloride was evaporated under reduced pressure to give an acid chloride as a brown oil, which was used in the next reaction.

To a solution (10 ml) of 1-(3-amino-5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)ethanone (0.2 g, 0.79 mmol) in water-free THF was added dropwise a solution (5 ml) of 5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl chloride (0.10 g, 0.79 mmol) in water-free THF under a nitrogen gas with vigorous stirring at 26-28° C. over 5 min. The reaction solution was heated at 65° C. for 2 hr. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and the precipitate was collected by filtration. The precipitate was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide as pale-yellow needle crystals (0.19 g, yield 68.0%).

melting point: 206-208° C.

Example 66 Synthesis of (Z)-N-(2-acetylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

To a solution (30 ml) of ethyl 5-bromo-3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofurane-2-carboxylate (compound of Example 67 described below) (0.2 g, 1.8 mmol) produced according to Example 65 in water-free THF was added triethylamine (2.4 ml, 0.18 mmol), and the reaction mixture was heated at 68° C. for 6 hr and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was poured into ice water, and the mixture was acidified 30 with 5% aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and extracted with CHCl₃. The extract was washed with saturated brine and dried. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was recrystallized from acetonitrile to give (Z)-N-(2-acetylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide as colorless crystals (0.23 g, yield 22.6%).

melting point: 206.1-208.1° C.

The compounds of Examples 67-133 were synthesized according to Examples 65 and 66.

Example 67 Ethyl 5-bromo-3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofurane-2-carboxylate

melting point: 170.0-172.8° C.

Example 68 Ethyl 3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofurane-2-carboxylate

melting point: 166.0-168.2° C.

Example 69 N-(2-acetylbenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 174-177° C.

Example 70 N-[5-bromo-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 125.2-128.8° C.

Example 71 N-(2-acetyl-5-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 119.8-202.0° C.

Example 72 (E)-N-(2-acetyl-5-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 156.0-168.0° C.

Example 73 N-[5-bromo-2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 236.3-238.9° C.

Example 74 (E)-N-[2-acetyl-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 170.3-174.1° C.

Example 75 (E)-N-{2-acetyl-5-[1-methyl-3-oxo-3-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-1-propenyl]benzofuran-3-yl}-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 201.5-204.4° C.

Example 76 1-{3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofuran-2-yl}ethyl acetate

melting point: 130.2-132.9° C.

Example 77 N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 240.8-243.2° C.

Example 78 N-[2-(4-bromobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-5-ethylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 241.4-243.2° C.

Example 79 N-(2-carbamoylbenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 250.7-252.6° C.

Example 80 N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 181.0-181.7° C.

Example 81 (E)-N-[2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)-5-(1-methyl-3-morpholino-3-oxo-1-propenyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 229.4-232.5° C.

Example 82 N-[2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 237.4-239.5° C.

Example 83 N-(2-acetyl-6-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 168.2-170.1° C.

Example 84 (E)-N-[2-(4-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 237.5-239.1° C.

Example 85 N-(5-bromo-2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 239.2-241.9° C.

Example 86 N-(2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 227.3-230.4° C.

Example 87 N-[2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 237.4-239.5° C.

Example 88 Ethyl 3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofurane-2-carboxylate

melting point: 167.5-170.9° C.

Example 89 (E)-N-[2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 202.6-205.5° C.

Example 90 (E)-N-(2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)-5-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzofuran-3-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 162.6-165.5° C.

Example 91 Ethyl (E)-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-3-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]benzofurane-2-carboxylate

melting point: 138.9-141.2° C.

Example 92 (Z)-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylic acid

melting point: 196.3-196.6° C.

Example 93 (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-5-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 216.0-218.0° C.

Example 94 N-{2-acetyl-5-[(E)-2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-3-yl}-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide

melting point: 169.3-171.0° C.

Example 95 N-{2-acetyl-5-[1-methyl-3-oxo-3-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-(E)-1-propenyl]benzofuran-3-yl}-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide

melting point: 167.6-168.7° C.

Example 96 (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 221.9-222.4° C.

Example 97 Ethyl (Z)-5-bromo-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylate

melting point: 186.3-187.2° C.

Example 98 (Z)-N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 263.3-265.3° C.

Example 99 (Z)-N-[2-(4-bromobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 131.7-133.4° C.

Example 100 (Z)-N-[5-bromo-2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 269.3-271.2° C.

Example 101 (Z)-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxamide

melting point: 265° C.

Example 102 (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 207.2-208.9° C.

Example 103 N-(2-acetyl-5-{(E)-2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide

melting point: 176.7-179.7° C.

Example 104 (Z)-N-(5-bromo-2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 206.3-208.3° C.

Example 105 (Z)-N-(2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 165.8-167.2° C.

Example 106 N-[2-(4-{(E)-2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylcarbamoyl]-1-methylvinyl}benzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide

melting point: 202.9-205.8° C.

Example 107 Ethyl (Z)-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylate

melting point: 147.5-150.1° C.

Example 108 N-[2-acetyl-5-(1-methyl-3-morpholino-3-oxo-(E)-1-propenyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide

melting point: 206.9-208.6° C.

Example 109 N-[2-(4-cyanobenzoyl)-5-((E)-2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenamide

melting point: 219.5-222.8° C.

Example 110 (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 207.2-208.9° C.

Example 111 N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-4-yl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide

melting point: 201.8-205.9° C.

Example 112 (Z)-N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-4-yl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenamide

melting point: 243.4-246.4° C.

Example 113 (E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 171.2-171.8° C.

Example 114 (E)-N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl) -3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 180.2-181.1° C.

Example 115 (E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-butenamide

melting point: 210.4-212.8° C.

Example 116 (E)-N-(2-acetyl-6-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 153.8-155.7° C.

Example 117 (E)-N-(5-bromo-2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 206.5-208.2° C.

Example 118 Ethyl (E)-3-methyl-acryloylaminobenzofurane-2-carboxylate

melting point: 143.2-145.6° C.

Example 119 Ethyl (E)-3-(3-phenylacryloylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylate

melting point: 162.4-163.8° C.

Example 120 (E)-N-(2-acetyl-6-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl) -3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 142.0-144.5° C.

Example 121 (E)-3-(3-phenylacryloylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylic acid

melting point: 197.8-200.2° C.

Example 122 (E)-N-(5-bromo-2-cyanobenzofuran-3-yl) -3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 240.2-242.0°° C.

Example 123 (E)-N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenamide

melting point: 127.8-130.0° C.

Example 124 Methyl (2-{1-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]ethyl}benzofuran-7-yloxy)acetate

melting point: 111.8-114.6° C.

Example 125 Ethyl 4-(4-ethylsulfamoyl-2-{1-[(5-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)amino]ethyl}benzofuran-7-yloxy)butyrate

melting point: 88.1-90.0° C.

Example 126 (Z)-4-{2-[1-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)ethyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyric acid

melting point: 147.9-148.6° C.

Example 127 (E)-{2-[1-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)ethyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}acetic acid

melting point: 169.9-173.2° C.

Example 128 Ethyl (E)-4-{2-[1-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)ethyl]-4-ethylsulfamoylbenzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate

melting point: 121.0-122.1° C.

Example 129 (E)-4-{2-[1-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)ethyl]-4-ethylsulfamoylbenzofuran-7-yloxy}butyric acid

melting point: 169.3-170.2° C.

Example 130 (E)-[1-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)ethyl]-2-butenamide

melting point: 128.7-130.2° C.

Example 131 (E)-N-{1-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]ethyl}-3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 132.2-139.7° C.

Example 132 (E)-N-[1-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)ethyl]-3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 154.5-156.5° C.

Example 133 (E)-N-{1-[7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]ethyl}-2-butenamide

melting point: 104.7-107.7° C.

The following compounds were synthesized according the aforementioned methods.

Example 134 (E)-3-(2-acetylbenzofuran-5-yl)-2-butenoic acid

melting point: 220.4-223.5° C.

Example 135 (2E,4Z)-5-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoic acid (4-methoxyphenyl)amide

melting point: 91.3-93.2° C.

Example 136 (E,E)-3-[5-(1-methyl-3-morpholin-4-yl-3-oxopropenyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid

melting point: 202.6-204.4° C.

Example 137 (E)-3-[2-acetyl-7-(3-chloropropoxy)benzofuran-4-yl]-2-butenoic acid diethylamide

melting point: 80.6-82.1° C. pale-yellow white crystal

Example 138 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-1-morpholin-4-ylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one

melting point: 185.4-186.6° C.

Example 139 (E)-3-{2-acetyl-7-(3-(4-chlorophenylsulfanyl)propoxy)benzofuran-4-yl}-2-butenoic acid diethylamide

melting point: 110.5-113.5° C.

Example 140 Ethyl 4-[2-(1-chloro-3-oxopropenyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]-butyrate

melting point: 67.0-69.5° C.

Example 141 (E)-3-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylamide

melting point: 194.0-195.1° C.

Example 142 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)penta-2,4-dienoic acid diisopropylamide

melting point: 140.1-142.0° C.

Example 143 (E)-3-[7-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid (4-methoxyphenyl)-amide

melting point: 168.9-170.0° C.

Example 144 (2E,4Z)-5-chloro-5-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)-1-piperidin-1-ylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one

melting point: 142.2-144.4° C.

Example 145 Ethyl 4-[2-(1-chloro-5-morpholin-4-yl-5-oxo-penta-(1Z,3E)-1,3-dienyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate oil

¹H-NMR(CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ1.26 (3H, t, J=6.9, CH₂CH ₃), δ2.22 (2H, m, OCH₂CH ₂CH₂), δ2.60 (2H, t, OCH₂CH₂CH ₂), δ3.72 (8H, bs, NCH ₂CH ₂O×2), δ4.16 (2H, dd, J=6.9, CH ₂CH₃), δ4.25 (2H, t, OCH ₂CH₂CH₂), δ6.68 (1H, d, J=14.7, C(Cl)═CHCHCH), δ6.85 (1H, dd, J=7.55, J=0.9 Hz, 6-H), δ7.08 (1H, s, 3-H), δ7.13 (1H, dd, J=12.3, 5-H), δ7.18 (1H, dd, J=8.05, J=0.9, 4-H), δ7.30 (1H, d, J=11.0, C(Cl)═CHCHCH), δ7.81(1H, dd, J=14.7, J=11.5, C(Cl)═CHCHCH)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(rel, int, %): 447 (M+,9.56), 412(84.08), 247(4.0 0), 115(100.00), 87(71.57), 29(22.23)

HREIMSm/z447.1447(calcd for C₂₁H₂₆ClNO₆, 447.1448)

Example 146 Ethyl 3-[2-(1-chloro-3-oxo-(Z)-propenyl)benzofuran-5-yl]-(E)-2-butenoate

melting point: 99.5-101.0° C.

Example 147 (2E,4Z)-4-[2-(1-chloro-5-morpholin-4-yl-5-oxo-penta-1,3-dienyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyric acid

melting point: 152.5-154.8° C.

Example 148 Ethyl 3-[2-(1-chloro-5-morpholin-4-yl-5-oxo-penta-(1Z,3E)-1,3-dienyl)benzofuran-5-yl]-(E)-2-butenoate

melting point: 194.6-196.5° C.

Example 149 (E)-3-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-methyl-1-morpholin-4-ylpropenone oil

¹H-NMR(CDCl₃, 400 MHz,) δ0.94(3H, t, J=7.5, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH ₃), δ1.40 (2H, m, CH₂CH₂CH ₂CH₃), δ1.73 (2H, m, CH₂CH ₂CH₂CH₃), δ2.36 (3H, d, J=1.1, CH ₃═CH), δ2.83 (2H, t, J=7.7, CH ₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), δ3.73 (8H, m, NCH ₂CH ₂O×2), δ6.10 (1H, m, CH₃═CH), δ7.22 (2H, m, 5-H and 6-H), δ7.41 (1H, dd, J=7.5, J=1.6 Hz, 7-H), δ7.50 (1H, dd, J=6.8, J=2.0 Hz, 4-H)

EIMS (70 eV) m/z (rel. int, %): 327(M⁺, 100.00), 241(87.89), 198(85.03), 270(44.19)

HREIMS m/z 327.1834(calcd for C₂₀H₂₅O₃N, 327.1834)

Example 151 (Z)-3-(5-bromo-2-methylbenzofuran-3-yl)-3-chloropropenal

melting point: 99.8-104.0° C.

Example 152 (E)-3-(5-bromo-3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl)-2-butenoic acid diethylamide oil

¹H-NMR(CHCl₃, 400 MHz) δ1.21 (6H, t, J=7.24, CH₂CH ₃), δ2.35 (3H, d,J=1.1, CH═CCH ₃), δ2.37 (3H,s, CH ₃), δ3.42 (2H, t,J=7.3, CH ₂CH₃), δ3.49 (2H, t, J=7.3, CH ₂CH₃), δ6.58 (1H, d, J=1.1,C═CH), δ7.27 (1H, d, J=9.2, 7-H), δ7.37(1H, dd, J=8.4, 2.2, 6-H), δ7.61 (1H, d, J=1.1,4-H)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(ref. int. %)351(52.43), (M⁺, 54.08), 334 (14.02), 279 (100), 277 (99.32)

HREIMSm/z 349.0678(calcd for C₁₇H₂₀O₂NBr, 349.0677)

Example 153 (Z)-3-(5-bromo-3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl)-2-butenoic acid diethylamide

melting point: 60.1-62.0° C.

Example 154 (2E,4Z)-5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienenitrile

melting point: 179-185° C.

Example 155 (E)-3-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenoic acid diethylamide

1H-NMR (CDCl₃,400 MHz) δ0.94 (3H, t, J=7.32, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH ₃), δ1.20 (6H, m, N(CH₂CH ₃)₂), δ1.40 (2H, m, CH₂CH₂CH ₂CH₃), δ1.73 (2H, m, CH₂CH ₂CH₂CH₃), δ2.37 (3H, d, J=1.46, C(CH ₃)═CH), δ2.83 (2H,t, J=7.7, CH ₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), δ3.41 (2H, q, J=7.3, NCH ₂CH₃), δ3.49 (2H, q, J=7.3, NCH ₂CH₃), δ6.14 (1H, q, J=1.1, C(CH₃)═CH), δ7.22 (2H, m, 5-H, 6-H), δ7.41 (1H, dd, J=7.35, J=2.25 Hz, 7-H), δ7.52 (1H, dd, J=6.65, J=1.5 Hz, 4-H)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(rel., int., %)313(M⁺,100),284(29.53),256(52.9 2),241(59.18),213(20.81),198(42.54)

HREIMSm/z313.2045 (calcd for C₂₀H₂₇O₂N, 313.2042)

Example 157 (E)-3-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenoic acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide

melting point: 95-99° C.

Example 158 (E)-3-amino-5-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofurane-2-carboxylic acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide

melting point: 155-157° C.

Example 159 Ethyl (2E,4Z)-5-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoate

melting point: 109-113° C.

Example 160 (E)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide oil

δ1.77(3H, d, J=6.2, OCH(CH ₃)), δ2.60(3H, d, J=1.5, C(CH ₃)═CH), δ3.83(3H, s, OCH ₃), δ5.55(1H, q, OCH(CH₃), J=6.6 Hz), δ6.70(1H, dd, J=1.9, 4′-H), δ6.75(1H, dd, J=0.8, J=1.1, 4-H or 6-H,), δ6.94(1H, s, 3-H), δ7.00(1H, dd, J=8.0, 5-H), δ7.12(1H, dd, J=7.7, 1.1, 4-H or 6-H), δ7.22-7.48(8H, m, NH, 5′-H, 6′-H, phenyl-H), δ7.41(1H, bs, 2′-H)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(rel., int., %)427(M⁺, 16.13)323(50.94)201(100)105(85.10)

HREIMSm/z427.1787(cald for C₂₇H₂₅O₄N,427.1784)

Example 161 (Z)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide oil

δ1.47(3H, d, J=6.5, OCH(CH ₃)), δ2.28(3H, d, J=1.5, C(CH ₃)═CH), δ3.75(3H, s, OCH ₃), δ5.46(1H, q, J=6.6, OCH(CH₃)), δ6.08(1H, d, J=1.5, C(CH₃)═CHCO), δ6.64(1H, dd, J=2.5, 1.1, 3′-H), δ6.66(1H, d, J=7.3, 4-H or 6-H), δ6.96(1H, dd, J=2.5, 1.1, 5-H), δ7.02(1H, s, 3-H), δ7.08(1H, dd, J=0.8, 7.7, 4-H or 6-H), δ7.36(1H, bs, 2′-H), δ7.15-7.38(8H, m, 5′-H,6′-H, phenyl-H)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(rel., int., %)427(M⁺, 14.40)323(17.64)201(100)105(43.67)

HREIMSm/z427.1782(cald for C₂₇H₂₅O₄N,427.1784)

Example 162 (E)-1-morpholin-4-yl-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-buten-1-one oil

¹H-NMR(CHCl₃,400 MHz) δ1.73 (3H, d, J=6.59, OCH (CH ₃)), δ2.29 (3H, d, J=1.46, C(CH ₃)═CH), δ3.61-3.74(8H, m, NCH ₂CH ₂O×2), δ5.55(1H, q, J=6.2, OCH(CH₃)), δ6.73(1H, dd, J=1.1, 8.1, 4-H or 6-H), δ6.81(1H, s, 3-H), δ6.84(1H, dd, J=1.1, C(CH₃)═CH), δ6.99(1H, dd, J=8.1, 5-H), δ7.10(1H, dd, J=1.1, 8.1, 4-H or 6-H)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(rel., int., %)391(M⁺,6.47)287(100.00)201(47.5 2)105(60.41)

HREIMSm/z391.1785(cald for C₂₄H₂₅O₄N 391.1784)

Example 163 (Z)-1-morpholin-4-yl-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-buten-1-one oil

¹H-NMR(CHCl₃,400 MHz), δ1.70(3H, d, J=6.59, OCH(CH ₃)), δ2.21(3H,d, J=1.46, C(CH ₃)═CH), δ3.46-3.79(8H,m, NCH ₂CH ₂O×2), δ5.56(1H, q, J=6.5, OCH(CH₃)), δ5.96(1H, d, J=1.5, C(CH₃)═CH), δ6.70(1H, dd, J=0.7, 4-H or 6-H), δ6.76(1H, s, 3-H), δ6.97(1H, dd, J=7.7, 5-H), δ7.07(1H, dd, J=0.7, 1.1, 4-H or 6-H)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(rel., int., %)391(M+,12.12)287(100.00)201(65.53)105(41.50)

HREIMSm/z391.1780(cald for C₂₄H₂₅O₄N,391.1783)

Example 164 (E)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide

melting point: 109-113° C.

Example 165 (Z)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide

¹H-NMR(CHCl₃, 400 MHz) δ1.68(3H, d, J=6.6, OCH(CH ₃)), δ2.20(3H, d, J=1.4, C(CH ₃)═CH), δ2.78(2H, t, J=7.0, NHCH₂CH ₂), δ3.60-3.65(2H, m, NHCH ₂CH₂), δ3.69 (3H, s, OCH ₃), δ3.80(3H, s, OCH ₃), δ5.56(1H, q, J=6.2, OCH(CH₃)), δ5.83(1H, t, J=5.5, NH), δ5.95(1H, d, J=1.5, CH₃C═CH), δ6.60-6.69(3H, m, 2′-,5′-, 6′-H), δ6.71(1H, dd, J=1.1, 8.1, 4-H or 6-H), δ6.94(1H, s, 3-H), δ6.98(1H, dd, J=7.7, 5-H), δ7.09(1H, dd, J=8.1, 0.7, 4-H or 6-H)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(rel., int., %)485(M+, 2.15)381(10.37)164(100.00)105(44.40)

HREIMSm/z485.2199(cald for C₃₀H₃₁O₅N, 485.2202)

Example 166 (E)-3-(3-ethylbenzofuran-2-yl)-1-morpholin-4-yl-2-buten-1-one oil

δ1.30 (3H, t, J=7.32, CH₂CH ₃), δ2.38 (3H, d, J=1.46, C(CH ₃)═CH), δ2.90 (2H, q, J=7.4, CH ₂CH₃), δ3.60-3.80 (8H, m, NCH ₂CH ₂O×2), δ6.56 (1H, q, J=1.1, C(CH ₃)═CH), δ7.20-7.33 (2H, m, 5,6-H), δ7.41 (1H, dd, 7-H, J=8.45, J=0.7 Hz), δ7.53 (1H, dd, 4-H, J=7.55, J=1.05 Hz)

EIMS (70 eV) m/z (rel., int., %) 299 (M+,58.22), 213 (100), 185 (31.70), 270 (13.08)

Example 167 3-(3-ethylbenzofuran-2-yl)-2-butenoic acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide

melting point: 131-135° C.

Example 169 3-(5-bromo-2-methylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-butenoic acid diethylamide oil

¹H-NMR, 400 MHz, CDCl_(3 δ)0.91 (3H, t, J=6.9, CH₂CH₃), δ1.02 (3H, t, J=6.9, CH₂CH₃), δ1.21 (6H, t, J=6.9, CH₂CH₃), δ2.16 (3H, d, J=1.5, Z-CH═CCH₃), δ2.34 (3H, d, J=1.1, E-CH═CCH₃), δ2.38 (3H, s, Z-CH₃), δ2.20 (3H, s, E-CH₃), δ3.23-3.31 (4H, m, CH₂CH₃×2), δ3.42 (2H, q, J=7.0, CH₂CH₃), δ3.49 (2H, d, J=6.9, CH₂CH₃), δ6.13 (1H, q, J=1.1, E-CH═CCH₃), δ6.22 (1H, q, J=1.5, Z-CH═CCH₃), δ7.23 (1H, d, J=8.8, Z-7-H), δ7.27 (1H, d, J=8.8, E-7-H), δ7.28 (1H, dd, J=8.8 and 1.9, Z-6-H), δ7.33 (1H, dd, J=8.8 and 1.9, E-6-H), δ7.46 (1H, d, J=2.2, Z-4-H), δ7.64 (1H, d, J=2.2, E-4-H), δ5.25 (1H, s, CH), δ6.92-7.59 (4H, m, Ar—H)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(ref. int. %) 172 (M⁺, 100), 157 (64.51), 132 (85.08)

Example 170 (E)-3-(2-acetyl-5-chloro-benzofuran-7-yl)-2-butenoic acid diethylamide

melting point: 116-117.5° C.

Example 171 (E)-1-(4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)-3-(2-butylbenzofuran-3-yl)-2-buten-1-one oil

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ0.93 (3H, t, J=7.8, CH₂CH₂CH₂CH ₃), δ1.36-1.42 (2H, m, J=7.8, CH₂CH₂CH ₂CH₃), δ1.69-1.75 (2H, m, J=7.8, CH₂CH ₂CH₂CH₃), δ2.32 (3H, d, J=0.9, C(CH₃)═CH), δ2.82 (2H, t, J=7.8, CH ₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), δ3.55 (2H, s, CH ₂C₆H₅), δ3.59-3.79 (8H, m, NCH ₂CH ₂N×2), δ6.10 (1H, q, J=1.35, C(CH₃)═CH), δ7.18-7.25 (2H, m, 5-H, 6-H), δ7.26-7.33 (5H, m, phenyl-H), δ7.40 (1H, m, 7-H), δ7.49 (1H, dd, J=1.8, J=7.8, 4-H)

EIMS (70 eV)m/z (rel., int., %) 416 (M⁺, 13.51) 359 (1.74) 241 (12.61) 91 (100)

Example 172 (E)-3-[7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-butenoic acid (4-methoxyphenyl)amide

melting point: 120-125° C.

Example 173 (E)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxylic acid [5-bromo-2-(3-phenylacryloyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide

melting point: 219.6-220.3° C.

Example 174 2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenoic acid [5-bromo-2-((E)-3-phenylacryloyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide

melting point: 261.5-262.8° C.

Example 175 (E)-5-phenyl-2-penteneoic acid (2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)amide

melting point: 129-131° C.

Example 176 (E,E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(3-dimethylaminoacryloyl)-benzofuran-3-yl]-3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 248.0° C.

Example 177 (E) -2-butenoic acid [5-bromo-2-(3-dimethylamino-(E)-acryloyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide

melting point: 247.5-249.5° C.

Example 178 (E)-N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylamide

melting point: 182.5-184.7° C.

Example 179 (E)-N-[2-(4-bromobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 236.5-237.8° C.

Example 180 (E)-N-(5-bromo-2-chlorobenzofuran-3-yl) -3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 248.7-250.3° C.

Example 181 (E)-N-(2-chloro-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 220.0-221.3° C.

Example 182 (E)-N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-3-phenylacrylamide

melting point: 160.6-161.1° C.

Example 183 5-methyl-isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid [5-bromo-2-(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide

melting point: 223-229° C.

Example 184 (E)-2-butenoic acid (5-bromo-2-chlorobenzofuran-3-yl)amide

melting point: 200-202° C.

Example 185 (E)-2-butenoic acid (2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)amide

melting point: 165.7-168.0° C.

Example 186 (E)-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid [5-((E)-2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-2-(3-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]amide

melting point: 204-206° C.

Example 187 (E)-2-butenoic acid (2-chloro-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)amide

melting point: 216-217° C.

Example 188 (Z)-5-bromo-3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoylamino)benzofurane-2-carboxylic acid (3-methoxyphenyl)amide

melting point: 234.5-241.5° C.

Example 189 3-(2-cyano-3-hydroxy-(Z)-2-butenoylamino)-5-((E)-2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-benzofurane-2-carboxylic acid(3-methoxyphenyl)amide

melting point: 172-174° C.

Example 190 N-(1-benzofuran-2-ylethyl)acetamide

melting point: 128-130° C.

Example 191 N-[1-(7-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl)ethyl]acetamide

melting point: 90-91.8° C.

Example 192 (E)-2-butenoic acid (1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethyl)amide

melting point: 98-100° C.

Example 193 N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-cyanoacetamide

melting point: 214.4-215.1° C.

Example 194 (E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(3-dimethylaminoacryloyl)benzofuran-3-yl]acetamide

melting point: 221.1-222.0° C.

Example 195 (E)-N-{5-bromo-2-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-acryloyl]benzofuran-3-yl}-3-chloropropionamide

melting point: 170.7-172.0° C.

Example 196 (E)-2-benzylamino-N-{5-bromo-2-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acryloyl]benzofuran-3-yl}acetamide

melting point: 174.2-176.5° C.

Example 197 N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyanoacetamide

melting point: 245.4-249.5° C.

Example 198 N-[2-(4-bromobenzoyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl]-2-cyanoacetamide

melting point: 312.2-348.6° C.

Example 199 Ethyl N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)oxamic acid

melting point: 196.4-197.9° C.

Example 200 N-(5-bromo-2-chlorobenzofuran-3-yl)-4-methoxybenzamide

melting point: 195.5-197° C.

Example 201 (E)-N-[5-bromo-2-(3-phenylacryloyl)-benzofuran-3-yl]-3-chloropropionamide

melting point: 204.7-206.8° C.

Example 202 N-[1-(3-acetylbenzofuran-2-yl)ethyl]acetamide

The compound becomes viscous at 102.1-106.9° C. and becomes liquid at 109.9° C.

Example 203 (E)-3-benzylamino-N-{5-bromo-2-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acryloyl]benzofuran-3-yl}propionamide

melting point: 123.8-126.5° C.

Example 204 N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-3-chloropropionamide

melting point: 169.1-170.2° C.

Example 205 N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)-2-chloroacetamide

melting point: 186.2-188.3° C.

Example 207 Ethyl N-[5-bromo-2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-benzofuran-3-yl]oxamic acid

melting point: 203-204° C.

Example 208 N-(2-acetyl-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)acetamide

melting point: 206.6-209.5° C.

Example 209 N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-2-methoxybenzamide

melting point: 165-168° C.

Example 210 N-(2-acetyl-5-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzamide

melting point: 212.0-212.3° C.

Example 211 N-(2-acetyl-4-bromo-7-methoxybenzofuran-3-yl)acetamide

melting point: 235.3-237.8° C.

Example 212 4-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-2-phenylthiazole

melting point: 185.5-187.8° C.

Example 213 4-[7-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-phenylthiazole

melting point: 165.5-166.0° C.

Example 214 4-[7-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)benzofuran-2-yl]-2-methylthiazole

melting point: 156.4-158.4° C.

Example 215 4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-2-phenylthiazole

melting point: 151.3-153.3° C.

Example 216 4-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-2-methylthiazole

melting point: 167.4-167.9° C.

Example 217 4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-2-methylthiazole

melting point: 105.8-106.5° C.

Example 218 4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]thiazol-2-ylamine

melting point: 196.0-197.7° C.

Example 219 N′-{4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]thiazol-2-yl}-N,N-dimethylformamidine

melting point: 142.7-144.3° C.

Example 220 5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxylic acid {4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]thiazol-2-yl}amide

melting point: 216.8-218.7° C.

Example 221 N′-{4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-5-formylthiazol-2-yl}-N,N-dimethylformamidine

melting point: 203.5-205.0° C.

Example 222 (Z)-2-cyano-3-hydroxy-2-butenoic acid {4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]thiazol-2-yl}amide

melting point: 229.5-231° C.

Example 223 N′-{4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methoxybenzofuran-2-yl]-5-[(2-hydroxyethylimino)methyl]thiazol-2-yl}-N,N-dimethylformamidine

melting point: 167.8-169.2° C.

Example 224 Ethyl (E)-4-[2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate

¹H-NMR (CHCl₃, 500 MHz) δ1.20 (3H, t, CH₂CH ₃,J=7.35), δ1.21 (3H, t, CH₂CH ₃,J=7.3z), δ1.26(3H, t, CH₂CH ₃,J=7.30) δ2.19(2H, m, OCH₂CH ₂CH₂), δ2.30(3H, d, C═CCH ₃,J=0.9), δ2.58(2H, t, OCH₂CH₂CH ₂,J=7.30), δ3.45(2H, q, NCH ₂CH₃,J=7.3), δ3.46(2H, q,NCH ₂CH₃,J=7.3), δ4.14(2H, q, COOCH ₂CH₃,J=7.3), δ4.26(2H, t, OCH ₂CH₂CH₂,J=6.5), δ6.80(1H, S, 3-H), δ6.48(1H, d, 4-H or 6-H, J=7.8), δ6.89(1H, d, C═CH,J=0.9), δ7.10(1H, dd, 5-H, J=7.8), δ7.15(1H, dd, 4-H or 6-H, J=7.75, J=0.9)

EIMS(70 eV)m/z(ref. int. %)387(M⁺,44.39)342(13.84)315(25.79) 286(17.63)115(100)

HREIMSm/z387.2046(calcd for C₂₂H₂₉O₅N,387.2046)

Example 225 Ethyl (Z)-4-[2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzofuran-7-yloxy]butyrate

¹H-NMR (CHCl₃, 500 MHz) δ1.03 (3H, t, CH₂CH ₃,J=7.30),δ1.22 (3H,t, CH₂CH ₃,J=7.30 Hz),δ1.26 (3H, t, CH₂CH₃, J=7.4),δ2.16 (2H, m, OCH₂CH ₂CH₂),δ2.22 (3H, d, C═CCH ₃, J=1.3),δ2.56 (2H, t, OCH₂CH₂CH ₂, J=7.7),δ3.34 (2H, q, NCH ₂CH₃, J=7.3),δ3.52 (2H, q, NCH ₂CH₃, J=7.3) δ4.15 (2H, q, COOCH ₂CH₃, J=7.4),δ4.22 (2H, t, OCH ₂CH₂CH₂,J=6.4),δ6.00 (1H, d, C═CH, J=1.3),δ6.77 (1H, dd, 4-H or 6-H, J=7.8 Hz, J=1.1),δ6.83 (1H, s, 3-H),δ7.07 (1H, dd, 5-H, J=7.8),δ7.11 (1H, dd, 4-H or 6-H, J=7.8, J=1.4)

EIMS (70 eV) m/z (ref.int. %) 387 (M⁺, 53.86)342(17.68)315(26.97) 286(24.41)115(100)

HREIMSm/z387.2046(calcd for C₂₂H₂₉O₅N,387.2046)

Example 226 3-chloro-3-(7-methoxy-benzofuran-2-yl)-propenal

melting point: 124.3-127.2° C.

Example 227 Ethyl (E)-4-{2-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylcarbamoyl)-1-methylvinyl]benzofuran-7-yloxy}butyrate

melting point: 124.5-127.4° C.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES Experimental Example 1

The LTB4 receptor antagonist activity of the test compound was examined using, as an index, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) released when stimulating eosinophil of guinea pig with LTB4.

(Test Method)

Based on the method described in Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 70, p. 337-345 (1996) etc., eosinophils of guinea pig were prepared. A cell suspension (300 μl, 1.25×10⁶ cells/ml) was placed in a 5 ml polypropylene test tube and, after incubation at 37° C. for 5 min., 10⁻³ M test compound (37.5 μl) dissolved in 0.1% DMSO aqueous solution was added and the cells were continuously cultured for 5 min. Then, 10⁻⁷ M LTB4 (37.5 μl) was added to induce the reaction and the cells were incubated at 37° C. for 15 min. The reaction was quenched in ice water, and the culture was centrifuged at 4° C., 3000 rpm for 10 min. The obtained supernatant was prepared as a sample for TXB2 measurement, and preserved at −80° C. before use for the measurement. The quantitation of TXB2 was performed using a TXB2 enzyme immunoassay kit (manufactured by Cayman Chemical Company). The release ratio (%) of TXB2 from the eosinophils was determined by the following formula: release ratio (%) of TXB2=[(average value of test compound administration group−average value of negative control group)/(average value of positive control group−average value of negative control group)]×100

As used herein, the positive control group means a group to which stimulation with LTB4 was applied but the same volume of a medium was given instead of the test compound, and the negative control group means a group to which stimulation with LTB4 was not applied, the same volume of a medium was given instead of LTB4, and the same volume of a medium was given instead of the test compound. When the release ratio of TXB2 is smaller than 0, it means that the measured TXB2 concentration was lower than that of the negative control group. When the TXB2 concentration in the sample was the measurement limit or less, N.D. is indicated.

(Results)

The results are shown in Table 1 and Table 2.

TABLE 1 Example No. Amount of TXB2 release (%) negative control group 0 positive control group 100  1 0.42  2 5.77  4 N.D.  5 81.6  6 38.93  7 9.89  8 41.73  9 0.68 10 23.43 13 31.8 14 44.81 16 56.57 17 27.92 18 53.91 19 48.63 21 56.57 28 −0.23 29 −0.19 30 0.086 33 −0.199 34 −0.063 35 1.02 36 −0.301 37 15.69

TABLE 2 Example No. Amount of TXB2 release (%) 38 91.73 39 N.D. 40 −0.18 42 13.83 46 45.62 48 53.91 49 2.37 51 38.93 52 60.6 54 60.6 55 53.91 56 52.39 57 78.01 72 84.46 75 27.03 94 −0.1 97 −0.12 114 51.42 117 54.95 118 73.84 119 9.8 120 1.32 121 5.77 130 35.44 131 2.14 132 14.05

As is clear from the results of Table 1 and Table 2, it has been demonstrated that the test compound has a superior leukotriene inhibitory action, particularly, a superior leukotriene B4 inhibitory action.

Experimental Example 2

(Test Method)

CHO cells habouring a gene encoding human BLT1 or human BLT2 and functionally expressing the receptor were seeded in a 96 well plate at 4×10⁴ cells/well, and cultured at 37° C. for 60 min. The culture supernatant was removed and a loading buffer (100 μl) containing 4 μM Fluo-3 (manufactured by Dojindo), 0.04% pluoronic acid (manufactured by Sigma) and 1% serum was added. The mixture was culture at 37° C. for 30 min to introduce Fluo-3 into the cells. After culture, the cells were washed with a buffer, and a buffer containing various compounds (10 μM (final concentration)) was added, and then 100 nM (final concentration) of LTB4 was added. Changes in the intracellular calcium ion concentration were measured with Flexstation (manufactured by Molecular Devices Corporation) as increase in the fluorescence intensity (area under a curve in a time-course graph of fluorescence intensity in 10 min measurement). As a positive control of BLT1 and BLT2 antagonists, ZK158252 was used.

(Results)

Increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration due to stimulation of CHO cells, into which BLT1 or BLT2 had been introduced, with LTB4 was significantly suppressed by ZK158252 to a similar level.

Increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration of CHO cell, into which BLT2 had been introduced, was suppressed by each of the compounds of Example 33, Example 1, Example 40, Example 46, Example 29, Example 30, Example 49, Example 59, Example 224, Example 225, Example 7, Example 9, Example 14, Example 137, Example 142, Example 94, Example 97, Example 120, Example 131, Example 226, Example 98, Example 141, Example 144, Example 180, Example 219 and Example 222 by not less than 30% of the level of suppression by ZK158252, thereby demonstrating that the compound of the present invention has superior BLT2 competitive inhibitory activity. Particularly, each compound of Example 29, Example 30, Example 33, Example 46, Example 49, Example 59, Example 224, Example 142, Example 98, Example 141, Example 144, Example 219 and Example 222 showed a suppressive effect almost of the same level as or not less than that by ZK158252.

On the other hand, a suppressive effect of the above-mentioned compounds on the increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration due to stimulation of CHO cell, into which BLT1 had been introduced, by LTB4 was weak as compared to the effect on BLT2, thereby suggesting that the compound of the present invention has a suppressive effect more specific to BLT 2.

The structural formulas of Example compounds of the present invention are as shown in the following Tables.

Example No. Structural formula  1

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INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The benzofuran compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof have superior leukotriene inhibitory action, BLT2 competitive inhibitory action, BLT2 blocking action, action for the prophylaxis or treatment of allergy, action for the prophylaxis or treatment of asthma and action for the prophylaxis or treatment of inflammation, and are useful as agents for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases such as allergic disease, asthma, inflammation and the like, and other diseases.

This application is based on a patent application No. 2003-153563 filed in Japan on May 29, 2003, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

1. A compound represented by the formula (I) having a benzofuran ring:

wherein Z is a group selected from the following formulas Z^(b) and Z^(d)

wherein X⁶ is

wherein R¹⁸ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, —CHO, —COOAlk or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group (the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more hydroxyl groups), and X⁹ is a bond, —CH═N— or —CO—NH—; X⁷ is a bond, —HN—CO— or —N═CH—; R⁹ is a hydrogen atom or a cyano group; R¹⁰ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more C₁₋₆ alkoxy groups) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ optionally form, together with the carbon atoms bonded thereto, a heteroaromatic ring, whereby Z^(b) becomes

R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group and C₁₋₆ alkoxy group) or a C₆₋₁₄ aryl-C₁₋₆ alkyl group; X⁸ is a bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylene group; and R¹⁷ is a hydrogen atom, a C₁₋₆ alkyl group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group or an amino group (the amino group is optionally mono- or di-substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl group(s)); X¹ is a bond or —O—; R¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms) or a C₁₋₆ alkyl group; X² is a bond; R² is a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms); and Y¹ and Y² are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C₁₋₆ alkoxy group, a C₆₋₁₄ aryl group (the aryl group is optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, which is a leukotriene inhibitor.
 4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, which is a BLT2 inhibitor.
 5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, which is an agent for the treatment of allergy.
 6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, which is an agent for the treatment of asthma.
 7. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, which is an agent for the treatment of inflammation.
 8. A method for inhibiting a BLT2 receptor, which comprises contacting the BLT2 receptor with the compound according to claim
 1. 